Detective Mike Ellis returns to Ottawa from Cuba to find he’s the main suspect in his wife’s unexplained and unexpected death. Meanwhile, Inspector Ramirez, head of the Havana Major Crimes Unit, is dispatched to Canada’s capital to take custody of a priest found with a laptop full of disturbing pictures of Cuban children. While Ramirez is abroad, other women suddenly start dying in Havana. Powerless to assist pathologist Hector Apiro find out why, Ramirez focuses on untangling a web of deceit and depravity that extends all the way from the corridors of power in Ottawa to the Vatican. As he does, he not only uncovers the truth about Mike Ellis, but discovers who, or what, is killing Cuban women.

The Poisoned Pawn is the gripping, fast-paced sequel to the award-winning, critically acclaimed mystery The Beggar’s Opera. Evoking the crumbling beauty of Old Havana and featuring Inspector Ramirez, a man haunted by the victims of his unsolved cases, it’s perfect for fans of Donna Leon and Martin Cruz Smith who love exotic settings and unforgettable characters.