Death in a Hurry — John Creasey

An amateur sleuth investigates a case of books worth killing for in this classic English crime novel by the author of the Department Z series.

English fruit farmer Patrick Dawlish and his wife, Felicity, are no strangers to the danger that comes with Patrick's occasional work as an amateur sleuth. However, neither of them expected the arrival of Felicity's American relatives to plunge them into an international drug smuggling conspiracy.

Wealthy Uncle Zebediah is amassing an extensive library of antique books. Unfortunately, his latest acquisition has drawn attention from a group of criminals desperate enough to kill. But why? With the police proving useless, it's up to Dawlish to deliver justice before his guests' visit ends in murder . . .