THE TIGER IN THE SMOKE

There's good hefty police work here and dramatic interplay of violent characters for the long series of coincidences that threaten Meg Elginbrodde's second wedding and for the deceptively vacant and gentle Albert Campion to follow the prickling of his thumbs in fog-drenched London. With Divisional Detective Chief Inspector Luke he tracks down the impersonator of Meg's dead husband, loses him and discovers that her groom to be, Levett, has disappeared. An outbreak of wantonly wicked killings by an escaped convict set them on the trail of lethally experienced Jack Havoc hiding out with a roving band of ex-service men, all intent on the locating of "The Treasure" belonging to Meg's first husband, and, with the rescuing of Levett, there is a dash to France and the mysterious Ste. Odile hoard. Meg unearths it — and Havoc is its victim. Satisfying sleuth-novel of present day London and contrasting personalities. Plus mystery market.