When a freighter smuggling illegal immigrants from Southeast Asia sinks offshore, Tofino coroner Elias McCann finds himself at the heart of another mystery.
Among the survivors of the tragedy is a young girl, whom Elias and his girlfriend, Vhanna, find themselves trying to protect from unknown kidnappers. Meanwhile, a relative of Vhanna's turns up among the immigrants, bringing back memories of her dark past and the Khmer Rouge. As the plot unfolds, compelling questions are raised: most importantly, who is responsible for the immigrants being here, and what do they want with Vhanna's cousin?
close this panelMark Zuehlke lives and writes on Vancouver Island. His previous books include Ortona: Canada's Epic World War II Battle (Stoddart, 1999), The Yukon Fact Book (1998), The Alberta Fact Book (1997), The BC Fact Book (1995), The Gallant Cause: Canadians in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939 (1996), and Scoundrels, the Dreamers and Second Sons: British Remittance Men in the Canadian West (1994). His previous Elias McCann mystery, Hands Like Clouds, (2000) was the recipient of the Crime Writers of Canada's Year 2000 Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel.
close this panel"Zuehlke and his Elias McCann look primed for a good run."
"...as captivating as the first installment of McCann's adventures."
"this is the second outing for Dr. Elias McCannZuehlke has brought bnack his successful cast of characters, maintained his setting and improved his plotting."
"Topical and well-written."
"another of Zuehlke's patented action-packed endings concludes the book."
"Zuehlke skilfully sets the stage for a thrilling ride to the climax of his story."
"Good fare for a quiet afternoon."
