From Publishers Weekly
In his ninth appearance (the most recent was Final Cut ), Toronto police inspector Charlie Salter has a hard time focusing on the case of a murdered actor. Salter is suffering either from spring fever (he keeps smelling nonexistent lilacs) or a midlife crisis: his thoughts turn often to aging and death while his wife is away on Prince Edward Island tending her father, who has had a stroke. Actor Alec Hunter was stabbed and garroted in a sleazy lakefront hotel; evidence points to a mob-style rubout. Connie Spurling, who was the victim's possessive lover and agent, says she had given him $1000 to pay his gambling debts, a suspiciously small sum to lead to murder. Meanwhile, Salter must also deal with the bribery charge made against a new friend in the gambling squad, and with the dilemma of Sgt. Ranovic, whose pregnant girlfriend is resisting his suit of marriage in favor of remaining a single mother. The agreeable Charlie penetrates a web of deceit to link this case to the earlier death of an actress. But the contrived plot falters due to undeveloped characters and a notable lack of suspense.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Toronto's Staff Inspector Charlie Salter, loaned once again to Homicide, searches for the murderer of a small-time actor given to gambling and womanizing. At the same time, Salter fights popular sentiment when newspapers misconstrue Mafia involvement in the case, attempts to help a friend on the drug squad accused of taking bribes, and squirms under the impending burden of an invalid father-in-law. A pleasant, well-modulated procedural featuring a tireless, down-to-earth protagonist with realistic problems. Recommended.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.