Cirrus@Austlit

'Bodies can be heavenly or busy or beautiful ... or dead.

'John Order, local Member of Parliament, was drawn into the death by an unusual source but soon found himself facing an aggressive policeman and a self-seeking political Party member, with an election looming.

'Order in the Canberra drug scene where all is not what it seems and the birds are interesting and varied.' (Publication summary)

'A seaside holiday on the New South Wales Sapphire Coast for stressed out Canberra public servants, politicians recovering from an election or people just wanting a break.

'Sun, sand, surf and, adding to the alliteration, strangulation are on offer to John Order upon his first visit.

'Crime at the Coast'(Publication summary)

'Love is a four letter word. 

'So is kill. 

'So is dead. 

'But what have they got to do with John Order MLA, amateur sleuth and Canberra politician?

'Stepping well outside his usual circle of influence, Order finds himself entwined in the lives of two cultured, successful business couples and their strange marriages.

'In this fifth crime novella, John Order unravels the startling truth behind a puzzling murder-suicide.' (Publication summary)

'Criticism of meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is hardly surprising. Apart from the expense with delegates from all over the world of varied races, religions and repute, personal differences are to be expected.

'But murder?

'John Order finds himself being framed for the crime and it is only past association with the investigating policeman he avoids arrest.

'Order's enemies are persistent and ingenious however ... '  (Publication summary)

'It was the usual open and shut case…

'A woman stands over her very dead estranged husband in a motel room with a discharged gun in her hand.

'Except John Order’s secretary is convinced her neighbour, Ginny Fleming, is not guilty of murder. With his experience of such matters, Order is called in to help.

'Personal and political issues arise (again) and before the crime is solved, our local sleuth will face the complications of an old flame and threats to his career.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Why would a shady businessman go to considerable lengths to disappear overseas only to return home to Canberra to be murdered?

'One of several questions puzzling John Order from a casual association with the man, along with why another local businessman wants him to stay away from his dealings with a big developer.

'And then there's the estranged daughter of the building tycoon, along with the usual parliamentary power games.

'Twentieth century crime and tragedy lies behind Order's eighth involvement in deception and death.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)