A Sudden Death in Cyprus

Forty-something David Mitre, the narrator of prolific YA author Grant’s first adult novel, an action-packed thriller, has been on the run for 19 years after jumping bail, “with half of that time spent expanding my criminal repertoire beyond burglary into the exciting and lucrative world of scams and cons and the occasional high-value theft.” David is now in Cyprus, where he’s enjoying a beer at a tiki bar when he sees a woman lying in a chaise longue stabbed to death with professional precision. He beats a hasty retreat, because “It doesn’t matter what the crime is, a fugitive is automatically a ‘usual suspect.’ ” Two FBI agents soon comes knocking on his door. Knowing David to be an escaped fugitive, they have enough leverage over him to coerce him into helping investigate the death, as he can operate freely in a foreign country where they must keep a low profile. The narrative is fluid, feisty and often fun, yet Grant doesn’t shy away from such serious subjects as refugee camps and the horrific separation of children from their asylum-seeking parents. Readers will eagerly await David’s next adventure. Agent: Robert Kirby, United Agents. (Feb.)