The Tropical Issue — Dorothy Dunnett

Rita Geddes is a dyslexic makeup artist whose appearance seems to change with the weather. She is called to Johnson Johnson's apartment, which he has let to a friend who wishes to use his studio, to fix the makeup of the famous Natalie Sheridan. However, Johnson, who is seemingly recovering from an accident, which turns out to be a murder attempt, is also present -- as is, it seems, a mysterious figure seen by security outside of the apartment. What follows is murder, mystery and mayhem, with Johnson and his yacht Dolly, as always, at the center. The reader will not be involved in second guessing a simple plot, however, as it is as intricate as it is fast moving, and far from a straightforward whodunit. The journey through this gripping story also moves from London to Madeira and the West Indies with equal pace.

Originally titled Dolly and the Bird of Paradise