The Final Throw — Michael Gilbert

Morrissey, head of London's Regional Crime Squad, is trying to bring down a financial empire involved with organised crime and drug smuggling. He enlists the help of a Welshman and his pretty ex-girlfriend to aid him in the 'Snakes and Ladders' operation. Michael Francis Gilbert (1912- 2006) is recognized as one of the most versatile British mystery writers. He was a lawyer in London for many years and at one point had Raymond Chandler as his client. He wrote almost every sort of mystery and thriller. He wrote police procedurals, spy novels, and short stories, courtroom dramas, classical mysteries, crime novels, and almost every possible combination of these, all with the same competence and dry, detached wit. Gilbert was a founding member of the British Crime Writers Association, Named Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America and was named Number 24 on The Telegraph's 50 crime writers to read before you die.