A masked gang rob a supermarket at Talant, a home-made bomb is found at the local airport, and the body of an old man is found on the motorway near Mailly-les-Temps...


Plus what is the connection between a fearful lawyer and the fatal stabbing of a Scottish tourist? On top of which, Daniel Darcy, trusted deputy to Chief Inspector Pel, has been suspended on suspicion of taking bribes. Pel really has his hands full this time.


Moody, sharp-tongued and worrying constantly about his health, Inspector Pel ensures that no case goes unsolved, in these mordantly witty French mysteries.


Praise for the Inspector Pel Mystery series: 'Totally convincing.' Financial Times
'Mr Hebden has created a nice band of flics.' Oxford Times
'Pel and his procedurals are some of the best things since Maigret.' Observer
'Chief Inspector Evariste Clovis Dsir Pel, as well rounded a character as Maigret or Van der Valk.' Punch
'Impeccable French ambience, unexaggerated flics, and a well-constructed solution. Hebden proves again that few understand Gallic cops better than English writers!' The Times
'Some characters grow as their saga lengthens and Pel... is one of them. You might say he is ripening along with the grapes.' Police Review
'...written with downbeat humour and some delightful dialogue.' Financial Times
'...all is most cunningly contrived and dovetailed into a coherent plot.' Irish Times
'A thoroughly entertaining read.' Evening Standard
'The best Gallic sleuth since Maigret.' London Mystery Selection