The Steam Pig.

JAMES MCCLURE

Publication: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1972, New York

First U. S. edition, first printing. Author's first book. Small, light remainder mark to bottom edges, else fine in fine dust jacket. Introduces the police team of Sgt. Kramer and his Zulu assistant Sgt. Zondi. The series is set in urban South Africa and begins with a mix-up at an undertakers, where two bodies are awaiting disposal. One, a young music teacher, is a case of heart failure and the body awaits cremation, the other is an unidentified old tramp of a woman awaiting a post mortem. Unfortunately the bodies are sent to the wrong destinations and the music teacher's body arrives for the post mortem and the police surgeon learns she didn't die from cardiac weakness at all.....and now the police have a case on their hands that leads to other murders. Winner of the Crime Writers of England's Gold Dagger Award for best novel of 1971.

Inventory Number: 32979