Museum Piece No. 13

[bronte]

I just read an old novel written in the 1940's called "Museum Piece No. 13" by Rufus King. A lady marries a man who has a very strange hobby...he collects rooms that murders were committed in or that killers have lived in, he calls them his "museum pieces". All the furniture, rugs, curtains everything accurate. He puts them in a wing of his mansion and loves to show his house guests and tell them grusome tales of the crimes. At the time of the marriage he has 12 and is working on the 13th. When 13 is completed he annouced that this room would always be locked and nobody but him is allowed in, he had hidden away the key. The wife becomes obsessed with this locked room and she sets out to discover what "Museum Piece #13" really is.

[random capitals]

Bronte, that sounds brilliant. I wish I could have read it.

[Jojo Lapin X]

Fritz Lang made a film from this, SECRET BEYOND THE DOOR (1947).

[Charybdis]

I wish I could read the book as well. I found the film on the 'net and have just watched it: excellent. Thanks for the tip, Jojo!

[Penfeather]

I just read an old novel written in the 1940's called "Museum Piece No. 13" by Rufus King. A lady marries a man who has a very strange hobby...he collects rooms that murders were committed in or that killers have lived in, he calls them his "museum pieces". All the furniture, rugs, curtains everything accurate. He puts them in a wing of his mansion and loves to show his house guests and tell them grusome tales of the crimes. At the time of the marriage he has 12 and is working on the 13th. When 13 is completed he annouced that this room would always be locked and nobody but him is allowed in, he had hidden away the key. The wife becomes obsessed with this locked room and she sets out to discover what "Museum Piece #13" really is.

Just bought this book! Thanks for the recommendation -- it looks like a fun read.