The seventh novel in the popular Inspector Bliss series is another action-packed mystery filled with nail-biting adventures involving religious sects, criminal conspiracies, and the world trade in cocoa.

When an RCMP officer is murdered in Vancouver, suspicion falls upon Janet Thurgood, a woman in her sixties who appears to everyone, apart from Trina Button, to be completely mad. Trina is quick to embroil Daphne Lovelace in her efforts to discover the truth about Janet.

David Bliss, meanwhile, tries to stay out of the way in the south of France, where he encounters problems of his own when, to his utter amazement, he rediscovers his one true love. Can he finally pull the trigger and make a commitment?

James Hawkins was a police commander in the U.K. for 20 years and a Canadian private investigator for a further 8 years. He was also director of education at the Canadian Institute for Environmental Investigations. His debut novel, Missing: Presumed Dead (2001), was shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel.

James Hawkins' profile page

"Written to hold your interest, this multi-mystery will keep you reading. Recommended as a well told tale you will enjoy. I did."

Anne K. Edwards, New Mystery Reader, January 11 2006

"This novel is great fun, in addition to being a solidly plotted mystery. Hawkins is definitely on the right track here."

The Globe and Mail