Venom: A Chazz Koenig-Cobb Takamura Thriller

Lush with the aura of Pacific islands, this exciting account of the hunt for a mysterious killer delves into exotic toxins, ancient religions and deep-sea diving with such energy that readers will view the languid tropics with new eyes. When Kimiko, wife of policeman Cobb Takamura, discovers a Canadian anti-nuclear protest ship run aground in a secluded Hawaiian cove, she also finds seven lifeless people aboard. The police investigate, but uncover no evidence of force. Cobb calls on his old friend, scientist Dr. Chazz Koenig, for advice (the pair was last seen in Toxin ). When the coroner reports that the international crew has died of respiratory failure--except for one girl, who has revived and is now in a coma--Chazz knows that a number of poisons, found in plants or in marine life, might be the cause. As Cobb and Chazz search, more bodies turn up, including that of a Tahitian judge in a sacred temple. Although Swigart repeats much information, his descriptions of man-made, floral and marine venoms, as well as of island lore and magic, are fascinating. (June)