The latest puzzle to rouse Enrique Alvarez's sleepy Spanish island begins with an Englishman hospitalized for a suspicious pattern of cigarette burns on his body. The fact that the burns form a circle on Franklin Gore's chest would indicate that he has been tortured, but if so, why would he insist that the burns are accidental?
Faced with a stubborn Englishman who adamantly refuses all offers of police protection, Alvarez is almost convinced to let the matter drop - until a local peeping Tom is assaulted outside Gore's home. Villagers are quick to imprison a wandering gypsy for the attack, but Alvarez understands the ways of rural prejudice, and knows how locals can repeat - and whole-heartedly believe - falsehoods, without lying. Alvarez is convinced that the wrong man is in jail, and that Gore is still in danger, but everyone else on the force is content to believe the locals. Alas, as the old Mallorcan saying goes, a fool is far too foolish to understand a wise man, but a wise man is far too wise to understand a fool. Which, Alvarez wonders, am l?
Alvarez's investigation eventually takes him to England and back in pursuit of a man's secret identity and an organization of terrorists. But perhaps the Inspector is allowing complex assassination plots to blind him to a very simple motive for murder....
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Roderic Jeffries was born in London in 1926 and was educated at Southampton’s School of Navigation. In 1943 he went to sea with the New Zealand Shipping Company and returned to England in 1949 where he was subsequently called to the Bar. He practised law for a short period before starting to write full time in the fifties. His books have been published in many different countries and have been adapted for film, TV and radio.
He and his wife live in Mallorca. They have two children.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. First American Edition. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 57224046-75
Seller: Hopkins Books, Nashua, NH, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. First American hardcover edition, with dust jacket, published by St. Martins, 1993. The 17th Inspector Alvarez mystery. In this one he investigates the connection between a peeping Tom with a head injury and an accident victim with strange burns on his body. 175 pages, 6" X 8-1/4". Dust jacket is not price clipped. Jacket has some mild edge wear. Handwritten numbers on the first text page - '17 XVII 1993', though no further writing besides that. Not a remainder, not a library discard copy. Edges of the text block are clean and the binding is tight and square. Attached are some photos of the copy we have in our inventory. We have several Jeffries titles listed. Seller Inventory # 26-04344
Seller: Boomer's Books, Weare, NH, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good+. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good-. First American Edition. Clean and tight - appearing unread. Remainder mark on heal. DJ has open/closed tears, a few creases, several pieces missing, heavy edge/corner wear - it surely did its job! Protected in an acid free mylar cover. Seller Inventory # 9751
Seller: MLC Books, Northfield, MN, U.S.A.
Hard Cover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Inspector Alvarez investigates when a man is hospitalized with cigarette burns in the shape of a circle on his chest, in spite of the victim's claim that they are accidental. First U.S. printing. Very gently bumped, jacket shows light wear at the corners and spine ends. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 170396
Seller: Bookfever, IOBA (Volk & Iiams), Ione, CA, U.S.A.
Condition: FINE. First US printing. An Inspector Alvarez mystery, set on the island of Mallorca. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 25719
Seller: Fort Hill International LLC, HILLSBORO, OH, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Good. Ex-library usual stamps and markings Good condition but not perfect, Cover has minor nicks and tears, spine shows some creases from use. Ask Questions and request photos if your buying for the cover and not the content. STOCK PHOTOS MAY VARY FROM THE ACTUAL ITEM. ACTUAL PHOTOS AVAIL. UPON REQUEST. Seller Inventory # 4ZF000000P06