''A new Simon Brett is an event for mystery fans'' P. D. James


''Simon Brett writes stunning detective stories. I would recommend them to anyone'' Jilly Cooper

''Murder most enjoyable'' Colin Dexter

The two aristocratic siblings Blotto and Twinks are once again launched into another death-defying adventure, this time in the civil war-torn republic of Jalapeno, in Mexico. But how did they ever get to such a foreign and distant land in the first place?

For Twinks it was an easy decision - to escape her mother''s match-making attempts she sets out to visit her old friend, Begonia Guiteras, who lives in Jalapeno, which is fortuitously on the doorstep of an Aztec dig Twinks wants to work on. Unfortunately, her visit coincides with the War for Jalapeno Independence, headed by Colonel Henriquez Guiteras, Begonia''s father.

At the same time, Twinks''s excavation of the Aztec site is revealing the exciting prospect of a hoard of Conquistadors'' gold - but will taking it away from the burial ground unleash the dreaded Curse of Attatotalloss?

Into this confusion stumbles Blotto, who only comes to Mexico as he''s missing his sister. On being reunited with Twinks they then discover Begonia has been kidnapped by Mexican government forces and both set out to rescue her. This leads to many chases and challenges across the Mexican countryside, resulting in the capture of the twins where death by firing squad seems inevitable... but will trusty chauffeur Corky Froggett, as so very often in past adventures, be able to save the day?

Praise for Simon Brett

''One of British crime''s most assured craftsmen . . . Crime writing just like in the good old days, and perfect entertainment''Guardian

''Few crime writers are so enchantingly gifted'' Sunday Times