PHYSICIAN, KILL THYSELF... On the face of it, Dr Pettifer had everything to live for – a thriving country practice, a beautiful (and very pregnant) wife, rude good health in both body and bank balance. Everyone swore there was no reason why he should have taken an overdose. That’s what they all say, murmured Inspector Thanet, knowing how high was the suicide rate among the medical profession. Stress, overwork, worry – all took their toll. But he had to admit there were some curious features about this case, little things that aroused his suspicions. For a start, would-be suicides didn’t normally arrange for their cars to be repaired, or book expensive holidays for themselves, only hours before they reached for the tablets... 'A whodunnit in the fine tradition of the puzzle game' – The Times 'The sort of book you curl up in bed with on wet days ... good, lazy reading' – Literary Review 'Riddle after riddle and clever plotting' – Standard. Winner of the crime writers' Association Silver Dagger Award.

Dorothy Simpson

Puppet for a corpse