Caprifoil

"Caprifoil" (1972) is William P. McGivern at his best. After his fine mysteries of the '50s (The Big Heat, Savage Streets, A Pride of Place), the author appeared to be dedicating too much of his time and attention to TV work. But he's back in top form here - in fact he's better than ever. A suspenseful international mystery, "Caprifoil" is superbly written, and eerily current in its themes of government duplicity and Islamic commitment to destroying Israel. Since the novel was published nearly 40 years ago, it may be instructive that the tensions of the time are identical to those we're dealing with today. - Al Hooper