In the latest addition to this popular series, Jeffries (Definitely Deceased) takes us back to his adopted home on sunny Mallorca, where bumbling Inspector Enrique Alvarez, Cuerpo General de Policia, has several intriguing cases to investigate. A late-night prowler has been scratching at the bedroom windows of prominent English expatriates, and Alvarez, with the help of Detective Fenton, has been charged with determining who is doing this and why. Fenton has returned from Britain to follow up on the grisly murder case of a bank executive who may have been tortured into revealing account pass codes so that cash can be whisked off this Mediterranean isle to other tax havens. Alvarez is a seemingly lazy but lovable sleuth, pouring at every opportunity "a generous drink" to help himself endure amusing verbal jousts with Superior Chief Salas, his unseen but frequently heard boss who phones daily. Soon, a local ruffian is murdered and his unsavory cohort disappears, leading to a web of suspected incest, assault and blackmail, all solved rather abruptly by Alvarez to the amazement of everyone, including the in-laws with whom he lives. The author gives us an endearing view of the languid pace of life on this vacation spot during the off-season, and we're treated to the details of succulent local dishes prepared by cousin Dolores for our hero's nightly repasts after long days on the trail of criminals. With violence and mayhem held to a minimum, this multifaceted puzzler will please the loyal ranks of Jeffries's fans. (June)
