Less Than Kind.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn. [Complete number line 9 - 1 descending. COLLINS CRIME CLUB series/imprint.] FINE/FINE-.No owner inscrptn and no price-clip to dw/dj.Bright,crisp,clean,glossy,monochrome photographic illustrated front panel of dw/dj with red+white lettering respectively to front panel of dw/dj.Similarly colour scheme lettering repeated to dark green spine/backstrip,and a circular,thumbnail b/w Crime Club logo at head of spine,and rear panel with critics' red+ white lettered reviews on a dark green background; all with negligible shelf-wear,bumping,creasing to edges and corners – no major nicks,tears or splits present - all corners tips,top+bottom - minisculely rubbed with reciprocal colour paper loss,and a tiny pin-prick abrasion to rear-facing gutter's fold on the spine.Top edges lightly toned but clean,fore-edges slightly brighter and without foxing/spotting; contents bright, tight,clean,solid and sound – no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners – virtually pristine - possibly unread apart from my own collation. Publisher's bright,crisp,clean,sharp-cornered,original plain red cloth boards with bright,crisp,blocked gilt lettering and Crime Club logo to foot of same and immaculate/clean endpapers.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,8-190pp [paginated] includes 30 chapters; plus [unpaginated] half-title with story precis and author's debut title to verso of same,title page with epigram (title taken from "A little more than kin,and less than kind!" - Hamlet),a dedication with blank verso,and to the rear,2pp blanks. Visually the exterior appearance is more than acceptable,and even internally, the book is in an exceptional condition/state of preservation and presentation.It is only the exterior faults described that prevent a slightly higher grading.Despite them,it really is an exceptional copy for brightness and cleanliness. It is 1968,and Charles Somerville,son of impoverished land owner Philip Somerville,is on the run fromLondon drug dealers in the Welsh Borders, In nearby Lllantrisillio,newly arrived James and Suzie's sylvan idyll is suddenly and brutally shattered by the voyeuristic behaviour of their farming neighbour. Also in the Border country is Birmingham policeman,John Monroe,who is liaising with his Welsh colleagues on a routine inquiry.But when there is an unexplained death in the area,he finds himself inexorably drawn into the investigation . . . one which is to uncover a tangle of dangerous passions and tensions running beneath the calm rural scene. 'Less Than Kind' is a gripping story of psychological menace which offers a penetrating insight into the darkest recesses of the mind.A remarkable followup to author's acclaimed debut novel,'Night's Black Agents.' Please contact seller,for correct shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas customers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded, after order's receipt and before the order's despatch, especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard US AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always. **