An Instinctive Solution

Inspector Alvarez #32

by Roderic Jeffries

The new Inspector Alvarez mystery - When Majorcan Inspector Enrique Alvarez is called upon to investigate the death of a woman found shot dead in her own home, all the evidence seems to point to her husbands guilt. But Alvarez just doesnt believe Herod is guilty. His reason? Instinct. Which doesnt go down too well with his superiors, and Alvarez is forced to take a risk in the belief that justice should take precedence over the law . . .

Genres: Mystery

188 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2008

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

[Robert LoCicero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this mystery volume is based in the island of Mallorca, an island off the Spanish Mediterranean coast opposite the city of Valencia. The police investigator, Inspector Alvarez, seems concerned with his meal time and trying to satisfy his superior, a "proper" Castillan-Spanish speaker based in Madrid, Spain's capital. Their phone conversations are humorous and at times seem a bit too discordant. The murder investigation in a villa with a farm that grows the scarce crop of garlic must go on and the obvious killer must be arrested, or so says Senor Salas, the ascebic Madrileno, who belittles his subordinate at every turn. Some readers might find the volume difficult to read as initially the transposition between speaking characters is baffling and the constant negativity in the communications between police officials is wearing. I do recommend that one continues through the volume as author Jeffries keeps a good pacing and presents a wonderful naturalistic view of the Mallorquin countryside and the peculiar moral views (might one say culture) of the inhabitants of this island apart from mainland Spain. The conclusion of the mystery and the way Inspector Alvarez solves the case was entirely satisfying. I look forward to reading more of author Jeffries' mystery books.

[Teressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book had a fairly good mystery element to it.It was hard to follow at times and it was hard to figure out the characters in the book.Also it was hard to tell if the main character was a jerk to his under employees or it was suppose to be humor.Overall I did not enjoy the book too much as to hard too hard to read and follow