A Damned Serious Business

London: Macmillan London Limited, 1990. BH5 - A first edition (First Published 1990 stated) hardcover book SIGNED by Graham Ison on the title page in very good condition in very good dust jacket that is mylar protected. Dust jacket has some wrinkling on the edges, light tanning and shelf waer. Book has some bumped corners and dents, wrinkling on the spine edges, some info written on the front free endpaper, light tanning and shelf wear. Although not marked in any way, this copy comes from the personal collection of Otto Penzler, legendary editor and founder of the Mysterious Press, an award-winning icon in the genre. 8"x5". 220 pages. Satisfaction Guaranteed. When a patrolling police car finds a man slumped over the wheel of a BMW in the middle of the night, it appears to be just another drunken driver come to grief. But the driver is a diplomat, and what he tells the police has serious consequences for international relations. What began as a routine traffic offence soon involves the Foreign Office, MI5 and MI6, the German Police Department and the Pakistani Secret Service. Aware that the Prime Minister is shortly to visit Pakistan, Commander Frank Hussey, head of Special Branch operations, assigns Detective Chief Superintendent John Gaffney to undertake urgent enquiry. Gaffney and Detective Chief Inspector Harry Tipper go to Islamabad, and are immediately embroiled in an inquiry into the suspicious death of a member of the British Embassy's staff. It is connected with their inquiry, or is it just an incredible coincidence? As the search for a solution goes on, other startling information emerges until finally the whole network of intrigue is lad bare. A Damned Serious Business is an exciting addition to the Gaffney casebook, and in it Graham Ison reveals the intricate interlocking of the security agencies both at home and abroad, describing, with inside knowledge based on his own experience, the frustrations and petty jealousies of the various departments in a way that will be familiar to readers of his previous books.. Signed by Author. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.