Wayward Widow, which perhaps could have used a more titillating title, is Gault's writing at his best. Well-plotted and perfectly paced, this Joe Puma mystery takes place in San Valdesto, a wealthy playground for the rich gentry northward of Los Angeles, appearing to be Montecito/ Santa Barbara, thinly disguised. Here, Joe Puma finds himself in the middle of a feud between two young vivacious breathtakingly gorgeous widows, both classic femme fatales, one whom left her husband 14 years earlier but never made the split legally final and the secretary-confidante who took her place. The old man died and someone is now causing trouble.

Puma finds himself in this ritzy small close-knit town as the outsider who doesn't trust anyone. The action and the dialogue all work here. There's plenty of action too. When Gault was on his game, he could write pulps just as good as anyone. A perfect example of late fifties private eye fare. Really great. ( )