The Rasp introduces the world to the amazing Anthony Gethryn, an ex-secret service agent, and occasional newspaper correspondent. He is assigned to cover the story of a cabinet minister, John Hoode, who was found murdered in the library of his country house, battered to death with a wood-rasp. Scotland yard has only one suspect Hoode's secretary Alan Deacon. But Gethryn is convinced that Deacon did not do it. To prove that he'll have to investigate himself and find the real killer. But everyone else who might have had a motive has a cast-iron alibi. Can he crack the case and bring the killer to justice?An ingenious murder mystery. -Kine Weekly I was certainly entertained all of the way through.-Mystery*Filea very puzzling case and clever solution.- Arm Chair Reviewer