Murderer's chain

"Murderer's Chain" by Wenzell Brown is a crime novel set in a future where humans mingle with Martians, where the central theme revolves around the darkest depths of greed and deceit. The story follows a man desperate to escape his money troubles who dreams of striking it rich on Balsavius Six, a new planet with abundant opportunities. His obsession pushes him to plot against his wealthy mother-in-law, Maudie, who stands firmly between him and his financial ambitions. He finds a necklace infused with Malutrex, a substance so deadly that it leaves no trace behind. As he puts his sinister plan into motion, everything soon unravels when Lieutenant Onsett, a Martian officer, reveals his presence and exposes the protagonist's scheme.