DEADLY PETARD

Majorca's Inspector Alvarez (Just Deserts, etc.) again makes a case for the virtues of patience, understanding, siestas, and frequent brandy pick-me-ups--as he solves the case of painter Gertrude Dean, an English expatriate and apparent suicide. Is Gertrude's death connected to her guilt-ridden involvement with Majorca resident Keir West? So it seems--especially when Alvarez learns that West's wealthy wife Barbara died in an identical ""suicide"" back in England, where the police tried hard (but in vain) to find solid evidence of murder. Now, in fact, the English police, convinced of West's guilt, send hard-working detective Tim Cullon to Majorca--to help Alvarez nail West for the Gertrude Dean killing. But though justice is indeed done, it doesn't turn out quite the way Cullon has envisioned it. Despite the rather contrived plot and some careless writing: an enjoyable Jeffries/Alvarez diversion, distinguished (as always) by the vivid, affectionate picture of Majorca and its people.