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 the
Hardcover
edition.
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 the
Hardcover
edition.
