Two for the Lions

Still reluctantly seeking the perfect work companion, in the central book of the ‘Partners’ trilogy Falco has submitted to his Ma’s machinations and taken on Anacrites (moonlighting while on sick leave from the Palace). The Chief Spy is thrilled. Falco is depressed. The author is nervous.

Will her readers accept a story in which Falco & Partner become hardworking government tax auditors? Will her editor allow a corpse that isn’t human? Will animal lovers riot? Is there any mileage in a missing plant hunt? Will plant lovers protest? Will the Anacrites fanclub allow Falco to exact revenge? If serial killing is hard to do tastefully, what about gladiating? How to avoid the cliché of threatening little Julia with Carthaginian child sacrifice? Will the Sacred Geese of Juno survive the poisoned corn, and will they come good for our boy?…