In Berlin, two former French intelligence agents hire Klaus Reiner, a ruthlessly effective hit man, to eliminate an American industrialist vacationing in southwestern France. Reiner easily locates his target in the small village of Taziac, but the hit is compromised when three innocent people are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Enter Inspector Paul Mazarelle, formerly of Paris but now living in Taziac, charged with bringing his experience in the capital to bear on the gruesome quadruple homicide.

Both Mazarelle’s investigation and Reiner’s assignment become complicated when Molly Reece, a New York City district attorney and daughter of two of the victims, arrives and begins asking questions. Though all evidence points to a local handyman, Mazarelle and Molly have their doubts, forcing Reiner to return to ensure they see things as he has arranged them—and that no one suspects the international political motives behind the murder.

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“A beguiling, atmospheric, and entirely entertaining novel that promises intrigue and suspense from the very first page. Inspector Mazarelle is a wonderful creation.”
    —Christopher Reich, New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Deception

“Stylish, dark, humorous, suspenseful. . . . This is a rich, deep novel that will leave you wanting more.”
    —Mystery Scene
 
“Jay has woven threads of police procedural, espionage, rural noir, ‘acts of barbarism,’ and Gallic charm into a story that will be a great fit for almost any crime fan.”
    —Booklist (starred review)

“A mashup of cloak-and-dagger and cozy replete with murder and fine dining.”
   —Kirkus Reviews

“Gerald Jay is truly a master in elegant use of language and a bright star in the world of crime fiction.”
   —Mystery Tribune

“Jay’s entertaining first novel pays homage to Georges Simenon and his legendary detective, Inspector Maigret. . . . The main draw is the charming, indomitable Inspector Mazarelle. . . . Mystery fans will look forward to seeing more of him.”
   —Publishers Weekly

“A sprightly, stylish, and sophisticated thriller. The reader is left wanting more of Gerald Jay’s cinematic, intrigue-riddled, and tasty France.”
   —Cal Bedient, author of Days of Unwilling

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GERALD JAY is a nom de plume. He lives in New York City and is at work on a second Mazarelle novel.

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