This intelligent crime novel, the fourth in Magson's series to feature Riley Gavin and Frank Palmer (after No Sleep for the Dead
), should garner the British author a larger following in the U.S. The mismatched pair—Gavin is a freelance London reporter, while Palmer is a shadowy PI with contacts on both sides of the law—join forces to identify the person or persons terrorizing Sir Kenneth Myburghe, a former British diplomat. Myburghe, who's received a variety of threats culminating in a grisly package that may contain the severed finger of his son, has enlisted Palmer to help protect him. Gavin, who's received some e-mails alleging that Myburghe has some dirty laundry connected with his tour of duty in Colombia, manages to tag along with Palmer. Their search for the truth leads the pair into conflict with Scotland Yard and the DEA. The crisp writing and fresh characters make this stand out from the mystery genre pack. (Feb.)
