The book has a torn cover

The dozen stories in the collection from 1930 are united by the most elusive hero Agatha Christie ever created. Mr. Harley Quin appears or disappears completely unexpectedly and intervenes in the course of events almost imperceptibly, but he leaves behind completely changed or re-enacted destinies of people living and long dead. It is not for nothing that he calls himself the "defender of the dead". Although the stories with Mr. Quine have a more melodramatic atmosphere, they do not lack the most essential ingredient for the author: a premeditated murder - whether the corpse forms a still life in the drawing rooms of ancient family mansions or is surrounded by the mundane environment of seaside resorts with luxury hotels, where beautiful ladies rustle expensive gowns and hide dark secrets…