Singapore: A Virgil Tibbs Mystery Novel

In Then Came Violence, Miriam Motambori was protected by Virgil Tibbs, black detective on the Pasadena, Calif., police force, while Miriam sought asylum in the U.S. from enemies of her slain husband, president of the African state of Bakata. As this sequel begins, Miriam is in graver danger, accused of murder and imprisoned in Singapore. Although sympathetic to the woman who represents her people's strong resistance to Communist invaders, the American government can't involve itself officially in Miriam's defense. In Singapore the courageous, intellectual detective works harmoniously with the police, tracing every clue to the killer who has planted overwhelming evidence against Miriam. Simultaneously Virgil leads his new sleuthing partners to the ""motiveless'' murders of children in a working-class family. Ball's writing is rather stiff, but he gives readers arresting information about the exotic locale, its customs and polyglot citizens. Virgil Tibbs's numerous fans will also be glad to find him engaged to one lovely Miriam at the story's end. (April)