An interesting little mystery that, were it published today, would be a John Grisham-style thriller with about 600 pages. Perhaps times were simpler then. Superintendent Tibbet, working on the murder of a small-time thug, is drawn into international intrigue, and must visit Holland. Though I've never been to that country, I found the descriptions very realistic. ( )

This book opens with the murder of a small time crook. Patrons in the pub did see the murderer--a man wearing a false beard and dark glasses. Newly promoted Superintendent Henry Tibbett is puzzled by the murder, but even more puzzled by a friend's request to investigate the deaths of two elderly politicians. His friend is convinced the two men, both members of PIFL, a mythical division of the UN or something that solves minor border disbutes, were actually murdered. Henry is not convinced, since there appears to be no logical motive. But he investigates anyway, and soon, finds a link between the death of the crook and the deaths of two men involved in an African border dispute. Two beautiful sisters, one an employee of PIFL and one a frequent visitor to the pub where the man was murdered, know a lot more than they're saying. Henry follows the clues to Holland, accompanied by his wife, Emmy. Emmy should have stayed at home, though, because she become involved in the final confrontation with an international criminal determined to escape one more time.

I enjoyed this murder. The plot is really hard to summarize and probably sounds quite confusing, but it really works out quite well in the book. The pace is a little slow, but once the characters get to the Netherlands it proceeds very quickly. I really like Patricia Moyes. Henry and Emmy are great characters. If you like old-fashioned mysteries without a lot of graphic violence or sex and not as dark as many modern writers, I think you'd like this book. I am only sorry it's not in print. ( )