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An Artful Death: An Inspector Alvarez Mystery

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Mallorcan Inspector Alvarez is a laid-back policeman, one might even say lazy. He likes a peaceful life, well lubricated with good food and drink. But when arrogant foreigners treat him with undue disrespect, Alvarez becomes tenacious, even stubborn.

In his 23rd Alvarez novel, Jeffries, who lives on the Spanish Island of Mallorca, gives us a couple of English villains. Keith Vickers, a womanizing playboy with a string of shady business deals to his name, one day disappears off his yacht. Alvarez, though assuming an accidental drowning, notes several anomalies in his dicussions with servants, ex-wives and girlfriends and is chagrined but unsurprised when the body turns up murdered. His chief suspect is the obnoxious British politician George Lovell, who refuses to admit to an angry argument with Vickers and complains to Alvarez' snobbish superior in an attempt to have him fired or at least taken off the case.

Intuitive and thorough in his meandering way, Alvarez resists the browbeating as he eats and drinks his way through a list of suspects, unearthing numerous unsavory nuggets from Vickers' life. While the inspector comfortably navigates the gulf between ex-pats and natives on his beautiful island, few others do, preferring to remain mystified (Mallorcans) or ignorant (British). Good-natured irony, a clever mystery, and a gorgeous setting make this another enjoyable and witty outing for the much put-upon Inspector Alvarez.

Anyone who has not read the mysteries of Roderic Jeffries is in for a real treat. In An Artful Death, the main character, Inspector Alvarez, is presented as a loveable, humane, and underrated detective.He loves his food and his cognac and solving intricate murders. The descriptions of the island of Mallorca are charming, as is the dialogue replete with local idioms. The reader will especially enjoy the phone conversations between Alvarez and his superior, Salas, who treats him as an idiot. Justice comes in and unusual way in this novel.One must read it to see if he or she agrees with it. One thing is sure. Inspector Alvarez comes out smelling like a rose.