A pitying of doves - Steve Burrows

The second book in Steve Burrows' series of Birder Murders

With murder, everyone pays a price ...

Why would a killer ignore expensive jewellery and take a pair of turtledoves as the only bounty?

This is only one of the questions that piques Chief Inspector Domenic Jejeune's interest after a senior attach with the Mexican Consulate is found murdered alongside the director of a local bird sanctuary. The fact that the director's death has opened up a full-time research position studying birds hasn't eluded Jejeune either. Could this be the escape from policing that the celebrated detective has been seeking? Even if it is, Jejeune knows he owes it to the victims to solve the case first. But a trail that weaves from embittered aviary owners to suspicious bird sculptors only seems to be leading him farther from the truth. Meanwhile, Jejeune is discovering that diplomatic co-operation and diplomatic pressure go hand in hand.

With two careers hanging in the balance, the stakes have never been higher for Inspector Jejeune. And this time, even bringing a killer to justice may not provide the closure he's looking for.

Steve Burrows has pursued his birdwatching hobby on six continents. He is a former editor of theHong Kong Bird Watching Society magazine and a contributing field editor forAsian Geographic. Steve now lives with his wife, Resa, in Oshawa, Ontario.

'A cleverly written novel that provesA Siege of Bitternswasn't just an offbeat one-off. This blend of procedural and cosy is just right for followers of M. C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth.'

'A neatly-constructed and well-told police procedural. If you like north Norfolk you'll feel as though you're there. If you like birds you'll feel as though you're in heaven.'