Essington Holt, in his second adventure, finds himself caught up in the complexities of Balkan nationalist groups, the French police and the ASIO while investigating the murder of an old Yugoslav lady. His investigations take him from the south of France to Venice and the Australian outback. Readers will welcome the return of Wallace's reserved, yet very likable artist/sleuth as he moves between the sophistication of the Riviera and Sydney and the insularity of an Australian small town . - Publishers Weekly Essington Holt: a brilliant bitter creation - Time Out