All my people are Scots and my family and I spent many happy summers in beautiful St. Andrews, Scotland, the home of Golf and of the ancient St. Andrews University. Golf really is the people's game in Scotland, and their fans are passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
From an American's point of view, one of the most interesting things about the famous Old Course in the city is that it belongs to the people of St. Andrews, and though greens fees are high, paths across it to the beach are public access and on the course's rest day, Sunday, the fairways are a place to walk for both the townspeople and their ever present dogs.
Needless to say, while staging a major sporting event in a small town with only one or two entrance roads is a challenge, the Open has never suffered the difficulties and indignities faced by this fictional tournament.
Anna Peters has married her long time lover Harry Radford and the couple are off for a honeymoon in St. Andrews, Scotland, courtesy of a commission Harry's gotten to make illustrations of the British Open Gold Tournament.
Soon after they arrive in the famous old resort, golf, and university town, one of Anna's former clients asks a small favor. Could she possibly look into a few incidents of minor vandalism at the Old Course? A simple matter, surely, and with Harry busy sketching golfers, Anna doesn't expect more than a few hours of work.
But minor damage at the course leads Anna to some interesting characters, including three Americans who just happen to be alumni of the college in Anna's old hometown. One has just been disappointed in a big development deal in St. Andrews. One is a visiting professor with a disturbing alter ego, and one is a contender for the golf championship.
Then one turns up dead, another is threatened, and Anna finds her honeymoon turning into a full time and dangerous job.
Contemporary Quotes and Reviews:
"Good detective work and colorful golfing backgrounds keep the reader interested." Publisher's Weekly, 11/21/80
"Law shows a sure hand with up-against-the clock suspense and the exotic, eccentric atmosphere of the British Open."Chicago Sun Times, 1/18/81
"Law has a gift for description of the Old Course at St. Andrews, and the surrounding village is made beautifully vivid."ALA Booklist 1/15/81
"You don't have to be a golf fan to enjoy Death Under Pareven though the main action revolves around the prestigious British Open at the birthplace of golf, St. Andrews Old Course in Scotland."The Patriot Ledger 2/3/81
"Janice Law's heroine, Anna Peters, has appeared in four previous books...No doubt libraries have the whole series but why are they not in paperback?" review of Death Under Par, Schenectady Gazette, 5/9/81.
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