The 1997 book was "The Love of Gods"
( ISBN 0 09 476930 3 )

The following is taken from the inside of the dust jacket

As Chief Superintendent George Gently sits on his lawn having Sunday afternoon tea and listening to his friend's vivid account of the latest meeting of Wolmering's artistic talent, nothing could be further from his mind than untimely death. But his tranquil afternoon is soon to be interrupted with news of the brutal murder of a local poet.

Every month Alec Beresford hosts a soirée where artists show their paintings, read their poetry or short stories and keep each other up to date about what they are doing. The eveningjust gone was particularly successful. Handsome Ambrose West read from his recently published book of poetry and signed copies for his fans. He also took the leading role in a short play, acting out a convincing love scene with the girlfriend of another member of the group. But the very next day, Ambrose West is found bludgeoned to death in Alec Beresford's garden.

Enquiries reveal that the dead man was last seen going into the shrubbery with a woman from the group. Could he have been murdered by a jealous lover? Or did his sparkling performance earlier in the evening urge a rival on to kill? Gently must understand the dead man's character and actions before, one by one, he can eliminate the suspects from the thirty-strong group and reveal the true identity of the murderer.

NOTE - The purpose of this page is to encourage people to borrow the novels of Alan Hunter from public libraries or to go out and BUY a book !