This is a re-read. I first read it sometime in the 90's and remember liking it very well. Originally published in 1992, this was the second in the Bill Slider series, preceded by Orchestrated Deathand followed by 1995's Death to Go (AKA Necrochip).In this book Slider is struggling personally with his disintegrating marriage even as he investigates the death of a womanizing traveling salesman, Dick Neal, whose body was discovered in a compromising position in a burning motel cabin. Murder or Suicide? His superior's superior would plump for suicide-- much cheaper and makes their crime solution numbers look better. Slider, though, has his doubts about this; and with the assistance of his boss, Dixon, he continues to investigate the dead man.Finally the case is connected with prior cases, two definitely murder. But what is the connection between the men involved?The book contains loads of puns-- Harrod-Eagles has a real talent for slipping them in along with sly literary allusions. The relationship between the various members of the police force is intriguing and fills the space between the detecting nicely.If adultery by the good guys makes you twitch you might want to avoid this one, but otherwise recommended for police procedural fans and those who enjoy a good pun.
