‘The perfect murder must be so simple that no one would suspect it to be murder. ’This Way OutPhilip Marshall is locked in a long and hellish marriage with his wife Cora, with divorce not an option.

Cora delights in tormenting Philip, ready to pour bile in his ear at the slightest provocation; complaining of “his weaknesses…his failure as a money-maker…his deficiencies as a lover” to almost anyone who will listen. Home life is so unpleasant that their son John has moved out, telling his landlady he is an orphan.

By chance, Philip meets young Mary Grey and finds the warmth and tenderness his life has missed. Longing for escape and a chance at redemption, Philip begins planning the perfect murder, but things do not go to plan.

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This Way Out was made into the movie The Suspect (1944), starring Charles Laughton. Stories of Crime and Detection Volume III also contains:Diamonds of Death A humorous pulp fiction’ story that involves a stolen diamond necklace, American gangsters, murder and romance.

A companion piece to 'The Monocled Man' in Vol II. Ruined by Water (a short story) What happens when you mix a crooked bank clerk and a new reservoir?.