Book 4 of the Frances McFadden In December 1942, Norwegian Major-General Carl Gustav Fleischer is found dead at his Ottawa home in compromising circumstances. Sergeant Scobie of the Ottawa Police calls on Frances McFadden of the Bank of Canada and RCMP Inspector Hollingsworth to help unravel the mystery. The investigators stumble through a labyrinth of interlocking puzzles towards unforeseen peril in their search for truth and stolen treasure. Diplomatic intrigue compounds the chaos of wartime, and a disparate cast of generals, colonels and corporals are exposed in acts of deceit and betrayal. Added to this tangle of conundrums, the infamous ice storm of 1942 cripples Ottawa, preventing everyone, well, almost everyone, from accomplishing their goals. Misadventures abound.
An exciting sequel to Ian McKercher's three earlier novels. Set in WWII Ottawa, capital of Canada. A foreign general turns up dead early one morning and Frances McFadden is called to join her friends as they investigate. Lots of interesting characters, great local colour (particularly for readers familiar with the Ottawa area and its winters). The story moves from simple to exciting as various characters are added. Hints to the mystery are subtle but the ending does not come out of the blue.
The story builds on characters introduced in the three earlier novels but does not depend on an intimate knowledge of the past. But I recommend the three other books. The Underling The Incrementalist Carbon Copy
Another great from the pen of Ian McKercher. These books are a lot of fun, I enjoy the setting and the cast of characters IM has built up. The central plot read like a Canadian, wartime Columbo story.
International intrigue, some mild violence. The Canadian climate and weather were a real factor and acted almost like an antagonist character in their own right.
The pacing was just great. Each chapter was a perfect bite-sized unit, making it easy to pick up and put down, but also tempting to fit just one more in before bed.
A great read to follow the first 3 of Ian McKercher's that I'd already finished!! I'm ready for #5, but can't seem to find it!! Living in Ottawa & the Glebe in particular, it was interesting to read about familiar areas. Thank you Ian McKercher!