by J. J. Marric
Part of Gideon, book 16
First published 1972
London swelters under a summer heat wave as Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard confronts multiple threats across the city's packed sporting calendar. Criminal conspirators plot to manipulate the outcome of a prestigious horse race through illegal fixing schemes. Political activists prepare disruptive demonstrations that will target an upcoming cricket match. Meanwhile, deliberate sabotage threatens to derail a promising young African-American tennis player's chances at Wimbledon success. Each case demands Gideon's attention as crimes multiply throughout the scorching summer months. The veteran police commander must navigate these interconnected investigations while managing mounting pressures both professional and personal. His home life suffers as the demands of multiple high-profile cases stretch his resources thin. The question becomes whether Gideon can successfully resolve the various criminal plots before they disrupt London's major sporting events and destroy innocent lives in the process.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: multiple-investigations, professional-and-personal-life-conflict
Setting: London, Scotland Yard, Wimbledon
Period: Summer
189 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Popular Library