The Odor of Violets by Baynard Kendrick (1940)

An errant daughter, spies, Nazis, confessions, and more than one murder that must be solved by a blind detective and his two dogs.

Mystery Review: The Odor of Violets demonstrates that author Baynard Kendrick (1894-1977) never met a complication he didn't try to incorporate. Wheels within wheels within wheels. First, start with blind detective, Duncan Maclain, ably assisted by his two German Shepherds. Maclain isn't the first fictional blind detective (see beloved though unrealistic Max Carrados), but he's the most credible. Then add a murder mystery, replete with spies, secret inventions, Nazis, war plans, and national intelligence agencies. Meanwhile, the Second World War rages in Europe. The U.S. hasn't yet entered -- but will soon if Duncan Maclain has his way. The first half of The Odor of Violets is slow as the story is set up with a series of disjointed events, some that are never linked up. The second half moves a little more quickly with the only caveat being that we never get close to the characters. There's little personal interest or humanity as some characters appear out of nowhere and then disappear. A blind detective may seem to be a gimmick, but the book earns its place as a genuine story without overly sensational tricks (as opposed to the superhuman Max Carrados who could read a newspaper with his fingertips). The author, although not blind, was heavily involved in organizations for the blind and even in 1940 fervently and wholeheartedly believed that the U.S. should enter the War. The Odor of Violets was made into a film in 1942 called Eyes in the Night, starring Edward Arnold. Arnold returned for a second installment as Barton Maclain in The Hidden Eye (1945). There was also an American television series, Longstreet (1971) based on the character. This is the third (of 12) in the Duncan Maclain series, but the first I've read. I'm planning to read more.  [3½★]