I read this book for the Vintage Mystery Bingo Reading Challenge 2015.
The challenge is to read 6 or more Vintage Mysteries. All novels must have been
originally written between 1960 and
1989 inclusive and be from the mystery category.
I read this for
the category E-5 “Set in the UK or the US”
Informal research and anecdotal evidence indicate Meron,
a new tranquillizer, may be addictive. A criminal gang of Cypriots in
England wants the drug to be declared dangerous so that they can provide it to
its target market. Busy executives like the benefit: one tranquilly sleeps for an hour, then feels bright-eyed and bushy-tailed enough for a night on the town. For middle-aged execs, the
chance to take their wives out in the evening and escape charges of neglect is
too attractive to pass up.
The government persuades the pharmaceutical company to
withdraw Meron from the market so that research on its adverse effects, if
any, can be determined. Col. Charles Russell and his underling Rachel
Borrodaile check the availability of Meron on the black market. Then, the principle investigator heading the research
project is found dead in suspicious circumstances.
Colonel Russell heads the Security Executive. Its mission
is simply to investigate matters that may cause the country hazard or risk,
matters that don’t fall under the purview of other government watchdogs. The
plot often hinges on new devices with a military application or in this case new
products such as medications. Banks, research firms, and sophisticated criminal
syndicates all put their hand in the situation. The human element plays a big
part in plot development: marriages are shaky, health scares abound, middle-age
offers the usual hazards.
At less than 200 pages the novels with Col. Russell
always feature sharp, literate excitement. The political intrigue and
existential angst of the middle-aged male professionals are both utterly
plausible. Haggard’s female characters challenge me. On one hand, Haggard’s portrayals seems wildly sexist in
that Rachel Borrodaile wants to be seen for her womanly qualities instead of as
just a “good soldier” or “good scout.” But Haggard also assumes that of course
a woman like Rachel can be just as quick-thinking, logical, and quick on the
trigger as any man. After all, like an Alan Furst teenager-hero, Rachel is a
former French Resistance fighter who lost her right foot in circumstances she
won’t discuss.
I always get rid of mysteries when I finish them, but I
keep Haggard’s novels for re-reading. I cannot think of higher praise than this
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