Whodunnit?

Crowded Kitchen Players' production of "Design for Murder," through Oct. 7, McCoole's Arts and Events Place, Quakertown, keeps you guessing.

Playwright George Batson's murder mystery is as much a tale of intrigue and suspense as it is socio-economic commentary.

The drama takes place in the sitting room of the Hudson River, N.Y., Granger estate. Matriarch Celia Granger (Sharon Ferry) is strong woman clinging desperately to the past. She is just about destitute and hopes to marry off her son David (Scott VanNortwick) to Eunice Killburn (Sarah Thomas), daughter of a well-to-do textile baron.

The seemingly perfect plan is unhinged when pesky maid Kathy (Meghan LaVerne) catches David's eye. David wants nothing more than to pursue his, shall we say, artistic ambitions. David, a talented portrait painter, loathes the thought of entering the needle trade of Mr. Killburn (Frank Garon), his future father-in-law, and marrying a woman for whom he has little love.

Alas, the object of his affection, Kathy, soon turns up dead on the property after being fired by Celia. Everyone's a suspect.

Lt. Carlin (Todd Carpien) is hot on the case, determined to solve the mystery and gain the respect he desperately seeks to fulfill his political ambitions. He also hopes to win the affection of the long-widowed Celia, to whom he once sent secret valentines when they were classmates.

The plot thickens when Earl Moreno (Bill Gibson), Granger family chauffer, pieces together enough incriminating evidence to blackmail Celia, who has her own design for dealing with him.

Direction by Ara Barlieb keeps the pace fast-moving and the dialogue quick and witty. The two-hour production (not including intermission) never slows down and the twists and turns leave audience members on the edge of their seats.

The villainous Moreno is played with chilling intensity by Gibson

Ferry and VanNortwick are quite convincing as mother and son. This is crucial as the play is centered on their two characters. Ferry, who has the majority of the stage time, never misses a beat.

James Dziedzic, making his theatrical debut as police Sgt. Brent is impressive. As the eager young policeman, he provides an additional dose of comic relief.

The set clearly conveys the feeling of a large and virtually empty estate. Set design by Barlieb is detailed down to a vintage 1946 Life magazine on the coffee table.