As Bad as It Gets

Bournemouth private investigator Chris Shovelin wraps up the investigation of the death of a millionaire's son during a scuba accident in Mombassa and decides to stay in Kenya and have a holiday. In just a day, he meets a suspiciously friendly academic, is mugged by a gang who appear to have police connections, and is picked up by Danielle, a glamorous journalist who invites him on a safari as her minder.Danny disappears during the safari and when Shovelin tries to find her, someone tries to stop him. Clues point to an international food giant and GM (genetically modified) crops, and he soon learns finding her isn't going to be a piece of cake. He endures beatings, corrupt police, shootings, wild elephants & a killer on his tail who doesn't know how to quit. But Shovelin isn't a quitter either.AS BAD AS IT GETS is not only one heck of a good mystery, but it'll open the reader's eyes to some of the environmental horrors going on today, plus it'll give her a fascinating trip through Kenya, a trip not to be missed. My advice, if you can't get to Africa, give this splendid five star mystery a read, by the time you've finished, you'll feel like you've actually been there. And of course, if you haven't read Julian Rathbone yet, you should, because he's a terrific writer.Reviewed by Vesta Irene