An Artistic Way To Go: An Inspector Alvarez Novel

Inspector Alvarez #20

by Roderic Jeffries

British art dealer Oliver Cooper lived an apparently idyllic life on sun-soaked Mallorca - until he abruptly disappeared. Low-keyed, cognac-nipping, but always sharp-witted Inspector Enrique Alvarez is called upon to investigate the disappearance. Cooper is presumed dead and thought to have been considering suicide, but his car was abandoned and no one can find the body. Alvarez has just decided that suicide is out of the question when Cooper's body finally turns up in his own home, making it plain to everyone - even to Alvarez's superior, Superintendent Salas - that a murder has occurred. On the trail for suspects, Alvarez discovers that Cooper's beautiful widow, Rachael, has been having an affair, and that the dead man's neighbor also had cause to hate him. There is no shortage of suspects, except that Cooper's smashed watch indicates his time of death, and those under suspicion all seem to have alibis. But is evidence in the shape of a watch to be believed?

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1997

About the author

aka Peter Alding, Jeffrey Ashford, Roderic Graeme, Graham Hastings.
Son of Graham Montague Jeffries

Roderic Jeffries was born in London in 1926 and was educated at Harrow View House Preparatory School and the Department of Navigation, University of Southampton.

In 1943 he joined the New Zealand Shipping Company as an apprentice and sailed to Australia and New Zealand, but later transferred to the the Union Castle Company in order to visit a different part of the world.

He returned to England in 1949 where he was admitted to the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn and read for the Bar at the same time as he began to write. He was called to the Bar in 1953, and after one year's pupilage practiced law for a few terms during which time there to write full time.

His first book, a sea story for juveniles, was published in 1950.
His books have been published in many different countries and have been adapted for film, television, and radio.

He lived for a time in the country in a 17th century farmhouse, almost, but not quite overlooking Romney Marsh before he and his wife moved to Mallorca. They have two children.

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started off slow, and became more predictable as the chapters went along. The ending was terrible, seems like this was a contrived version of other mysteries I have read. Boring characters, especially the detective. blah.
The only mystery here was: 'why bother publishing this book'???
Don't waste your time-and don't waste your money on this one!

[Michelle Partin · Rating 1 out of 5]

got this book at the library for the "dont judge a book by its cover" display. definitely would not have picked it out on my own. it was slow, the plot has a lot of holes and the characters were unlikable. I don't recommend this to anyone.

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very slow start. Lots of red herrings and local color, little in the way of suspense or excitement.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book and bits of wisdom on human nature throughout. Wanted more of an ending than I got...