The Last Hand: A Charlie Salter Mystery (Castle Street Mysteries S.) - Tapa dura

Wright's book just offers mystery-lovers one more reason to snuggle up with the bedside light on, immersed in a well-crafted tale. -- Barb Livingstone For longtime fans of Wright's work, there's no classier act than his Charlie Salter series. -- Joan Barfoot In The Last Hand Salter and Wright depart in very close to their top form in one of crime fiction's most absorbing and rewarding series. -- Jack Batten The Last Hand is an excellent novel, but one expects nothing less from Mr. Wright. The plot is watertight, and a cast of strong characters, both familiar and new, populates the pages. -- Catherine Thompson This is a neat old-fashioned type of tale that shows detective novels need not rely on DNA testing, excessive violence and high body counts to challenge and entertain. -- John North As always, Wright's style is as smooth as silk. This is a great last hand for a fine creation. -- Margaret Cannon

Charlie Slater is sixty -- the age limit for active police work. Lately, he's been a glorified receptionist for the deputy chief. But then a Toronto lawyer is murdered, and the prime suspect is a prostitute in a pair of silver boots. The case doesn't ignite any interest until high-powered lawyer Calvin Gregson shows up, supposedly on Flora's behalf, insisting the police solve the case quietly. Deputy Mackenzie figures the assignment will keep Salter temporarily occupied, and puts him on the case with a young Scotsman new to the force and city. Salter is thrilled. As he searches, he meets the law profession's elite and, among others, the victim's sister, MPP Flora Lucas. But it's the lawyer's book group that brings Salter the clues he needs to solve the case -- and to discover why Gregson is so eager to wrap the case up quickly and quietly.