Beast In View

Cover Artist: not identified
By: Millar, Margaret
Publisher: Bantam Books, Inc. (1542/2)
Place of Publication:New York, NY
Catalog #: Kelley Coll. PS3563 .I3725 B43 1956
Contributor: K. Berrish

General

Era: 1950s
Author as on Cover: Margaret Millar
Publication:1956
Original Date: 1955
Setting: urban

Plot Summary

A sad and lonely thirty year old woman gets a disturbing telephone call and fears someone is out to do her harm. When she finds money missing from her desk drawer, Helen Clarvoe asks Paul Blackshear, a family friend, to locate the caller who said her name was Evelyn Merrick. He discovers that this name belongs to the former wife of Helen's brother. Not knowing why Helen didn't recognize the name and feeling some sense of obligation to assist her, Paul searches for Evelyn and for the truth. Before his search ends, the brother and another man are dead and the Clarvoe family secrets are revealed.

Major Characters

Paul Blackshear adult male, middle-aged, stockbroker

Helen Clarvoe adult female, wealthy, does not work

Douglas Clarvoe adult male, homosexual

Jack Terola adult male, homosexual, photographer

Evelyn Merrick adult female

Verna Clarvoe adult female, middle-aged, wealthy, does not work

Weapons

scissors, gun

Level of Violence

suicide and murder are mostly implied; there is some description of how the bodies looked afterward.

Sexuality

the homosexuality of one of the characters is the secret that the perpetrator threatens to, and ultimately does, reveal.

Alcohol/Drug Abuse

alcohol is used recreationally by some characters and sometimes abused by the perpetrator.

Subject Headings

Mental Illness/ Murder/ California - Los Angeles/ Theft/ Homosexuality/ Stock Brokers

Psychological Elements

insanity, depression and substance abuse are all exhibited by the perpetrator. The dynamics within a dysfunctional family are important to the plot.