No Next of Kin is a 1959 mystery thriller novel by the American writer Doris Miles Disney. It was first published by Doubleday under its Crime Club label.
Plot Summary Andrea Langdon, the daughter of a prominent American politician, finds herself targeted by blackmailers. Fergus McDonald, a reporter with whom she is romantically involved, attempts to help her save her reputation.Vaughter, Carolyn. "New Material for the Whodunit Shelf." Richmond Times-Dispatch Vol. 109 No. 291 p8-L. October 18, 1959. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
Background The Hartford circus fire, a real tragedy that occurred in 1944, served as an inspiration Langdon's backstory, although the famous unidentified "Little Miss 1565" is rewritten as "Little Sir 915." Disney changed the location of the fire and stampede is changed from an itinerant circus to a charity bazar at "a fire-trap wooden hotel at a very smart summer resort in Connecticut.""Famous Child Case Basis for Mystery." Sun-Journal Vol. XCIX p8-A. October 3, 1959. Retrieved April 30, 2026.R.F.H. "No Next of Kin." The Springfield Sunday Republican p4D October 11, 1959. Retrieved April 30, 2026.Muraro, Joan. "The Paperbacks." The State Journal-Register Vol. 3 No. 34 p16. February 16, 1964. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
Publication In early 1964, No Next of Kin was issued in paperback by Dell.Wiedower, Frances. "New Paperbacks." Southwest American Vol. 82 No. 190 February 9, 1964. Retrieved April 30, 2026.Muraro, Joan. "The Paperbacks." The State Journal-Register Vol. 3 No. 34 p16. February 16, 1964. Retrieved April 30, 2026."Thriller Paperbacks." The Boston Globe Vol. 185 No. 54 pA-47. February 23, 1964. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
Reception The novel received positive reviews. "Doris Miles Disney in her easy, unaffected and excellent story telling ability," wrote the Lewiston Sun-Journal, "has turned out a crackerjack.""Famous Child Case Basis for Mystery." Sun-Journal Vol. XCIX p8-A. October 3, 1959. Retrieved April 30, 2026. The Stamford Advocate reported that the novel "lives up to Miss Disney's reputation for smooth mystery stories.""Ferguson Library Presents: Notes On New Books." Stamford Advocate Vol. 31 No. 162 p16. October 16, 1959. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
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