Pel and the Staghound: 5 (The Inspector Pel Mystery series)

On top of all this, a wealthy local businessman, Francois Rensselaer, disappears - but oddly, none of his family seem very bothered about it. Only Archer, his favourite staghound, is anxious for his missing master. It's down to Pel to unravel the mystery, uncovering motives as dark as the blackest winter night along the way.

Moody, sharp-tongued and worrying constantly about his health, Inspector Pel ensures that no case goes unsolved, in these mordantly witty French mysteries.

'Totally convincing.' Financial Times

'Mr Hebden has created a nice band of flics.' Oxford Times

'Pel and his procedurals are some of the best things since Maigret.' Observer

'Chief Inspector Evariste Clovis Desire Pel, as well rounded a character as Maigret or Van der Valk.' Punch

'Impeccable French ambience, unexaggerated flics, and a well-constructed solution. Hebden proves again that few understand Gallic cops better than English writers!' The Times

'Some characters grow as their saga lengthens and Pel... is one of them. You might say he is ripening along with the grapes.' Police Review

'...written with downbeat humour and some delightful dialogue.' Financial Times

'...all is most cunningly contrived and dovetailed into a coherent plot.' Irish Times

'A thoroughly entertaining read.' Evening Standard

'The best Gallic sleuth since Maigret.' London Mystery Selection