A mystery with "atmosphere, humor . . .and a group of characters, English, Maori, and New Zealander, who are fascinating and completely credible." - The New York Times. During World War II, Colonel Claire - a tremendously nice fellow and a disastrously bad businessman - runs a mud-baths resort in rural New Zealand. But the place is on the brink of being taken over by a local blowhard who may be a Nazi spy. Inspector Alleyn has been sent in to sort things out - and don a disguise in order to blend in the resort's motley cast of characters - in this classic tale of detection from the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master.. "It's time to start comparing Christie to Marsh instead of the other way around." - New York Magazine
