ABOUT THE BOOK

"My name is Dave Brandstetter. I'm a claims investigator for the Medallion Life Insurance Company." He handed her a card. She didn't glance at it. "I'm looking for Peter Oats" he said. "He's not here. I wish he were. Maybe you can help me. The Police don't seem to care."

She was April Stannard. Her lover, Peter's father, had died. April believed he had been murdered.

Dave Brandstetter's investigation takes him through the rare-book world, to backstage at a community theatre, to the home of a world famous television performer. Along the way, Dave soon comes to agree with April!

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

"The Brandstetter stories develop strongly with a striking quality of measured calm" - London Sunday Times

"After 40 years Hammett has a worthy successor" - London Times

'Unusual in two respects. One is that the insurance investigator, though ruggedly masculine, is thoroughly and contentedly homosexual. the other is that Hansen is an excellent craftsmen, a compelling writer.' - New Yorker

'The most exciting and effective writer of the classic private-eye novel working today.' - L.A.Times

'Spare and stylish' - London Financial Times

'Hansen is to gay detective fiction what Sara Paretsky is to feminist sleuthing.' - Pink Paper