No one needed to recommend this book to me as I have read all seven of the Toronto author’s previous books and enjoyed all of them, some more than others.
In this one, there is more suspense with a far more complex plot than the previous ones. Although Angus McClintock, the colourful Scot of previous books is featured briefly, now as Minister of Public Safety, there is much less character development and much less humour, with an emphasis on Hollywood-style dramatic action of an unrealistic nature. It seems that Fallis has succumbed to the appeal of the Hollywood fast-action mystery, ignoring probabilities, perhaps hoping for a movie adaptation.
My favourite quibble: Forehead veins in upright men do not pulsate in response to emotions.
I will not reveal the very complex plot, but in short, this is my least favourite of the Fallis books, although I greatly admire his creative imagination.
3/5
The Passionate Reader 