A Tiger in Red Weather

Doctor Quarshie #7

by John Wyllie

Stated first edition. A near fine copy in a fine dust jacket. Soiling to the edges of the book's upper page block. Review copy with publisher's promotional slip laid in.

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

John Vectis Carew Wyllie was a naturalized Canadian citizen who spent four years in the British merchant marine and six years serving in the RAF in WWII, three of them in a Japanese prison camp. He and his wife, Sonja, spent five years in West Africa where he worked as an administrator for the British Red Cross. He also held positions in advertising, the film industry and television. He was able to draw on all of these experiences for plots, characters, and settings for his books.

Reviews

[Roberta]

The 7th Dr. Quarshie mystery and a pretty good one, as usual, but not my favorite in the series. In previous books in the series Dr. and Mrs. Quarshie have had help in defeating the murderers, my favorites being his adopted son and a ladies choir. While there are plenty of interesting characters in this book, Dr. and Mrs. Quarshie go it alone for the most part and I miss the other sidekicks.

Since the victim was not universally well-liked, Dr. Quarshie must sift through a few suspects and, in the process, uncovers other crimes that were never reported. The setting in West Africa remains fascinating and we find out a little more of Dr. Quarshie's backstory.

Part of what I enjoy about this series is the setting in West Africa. Page 175: Many of those who who expressed their condolences did so by wishing Levitsky and his wife safe arrival in a "haven of fresh breezes," that being the most perfect destiny conceivable to people who lived on the harsh threshold of the biggest desert in the world. If they ever condemned anyone to hell they would have described it as a nether world of "broken pots," a place where there are no utensils in which to preserve the most precious substance in their world, water.

[Emily Kestrel]

A pretty good mystery, with a detailed West African setting. The plot involves the murder of an American writer, whose body was found by a hunter in the desert. When local doctor Quarshie and his wife investigate, it turns out that she had ticked off just about everyone, including the local fetish man, with her abrasive personality. The writing was rather dry, though. Still, worth a read for mystery fans.

Note: I glanced over the other reviews here, and most of them seem to have the wrong book. Liza Klaussmann's Tigers in Red Weather is the one told in five different points of view and set on Martha's Vineyard. And there are no soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan in this one; I'm not sure what book that comes from. This Tiger is a mystery from 1980 set in West Africa.

[Jenny Magic]

Haven't started yet, recommended by Matchbook Magazine Aug 2012

[Renée]

did not like the time setting. it did not draw me in at all.

[Holly]

Interesting read, did remind me of Great Gatsby. Made me uncomfortable in some places....different..

[Paula]

okay. so I did not like any of these characters. each person related their version of the same story.

[Katie]

Good, quick read

[Melinda]

Definitely some interesting characters.

[Pam Ross]

I loved this book.....I'm particularly drawn to stories taken place in this time period.

[Katehintx]

Poorly written, unappealing characters, unbelievable plot line.