«Boston Blackie: Simmons Construction Murder» by Jack Boyle

Falling for his friend's girl, he fails to reckon with an unusual roommate. The young man was tall tanned and impressive. There wasn’t a guest at Mrs. Parkford-Smith’s cocktail party who would deny that his presence had livened the affair considerably. The hostess especially appreciated Mr. Derek Marlow, his gentle flattery and his absurdly amusing stories…