The Pay-Off (Severn House Large Print) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Vivien Armstrong (Author)

Book Description

Series: Severn House Large Print | Publication Date: October 1, 2006

A Detective Chief Inspector Roger Hayes mystery - The body of Lulu Starewska, an eccentric antique dealer, is found in her home in an Oxfordshire village. A specialist in Russian icons, Lulu owned a gallery in London, which its manager, Raoul Musset, seems destined to inherit. That is, until an arson attack destroys the gallery. A tangled network of shadowy Russian contacts will eventually lead DCI Hayes to St Petersburg, where he meets up with British Intelligence

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Armstrong's latest is an enjoyable blend of police procedural and international thriller that fans of either subgenre will appreciate. British DCI Roger Hayes faces a particularly nasty case when the bloodied body of elderly antiques dealer Lulu Starewska is found, her face destroyed by acid and her throat cut. To add to the horror, Lulu's cat has also been doused with acid. Hayes' investigation reveals that the intensely secretive Lulu, originally from Russia, apparently had no relatives and few friends. The lack of information about her makes the case difficult, but things take more nasty turns when Lulu's antiques gallery burns down, her loyal assistant is killed, and the nine-year-old son of Lulu's protege is kidnapped. The trail leads Hayes to Moscow, where even the answers he finds are clouded in mystery. Another solid entry in Armstrong's long list of successful crime novels. Emily Melton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Vivien Armstrong trained as a journalist, working on a national British newspaper before becoming a crime novelist. She also contributes horticultural and gardening articles to magazines as well as co-authoring a floral art book with a leading designer. She lives in Norfolk, England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 318 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0727875353
• ISBN-13: 978-0727875358
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,568,499 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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