Mandarin, London, 1991, 1^st pr thus.  ISBN 0-7493-0660-2.  MMPB, 158 pages.  Good plus; wraps show some edge and cover wear, light creases and reading creases; binding sound; polish residue on front wrap.  Interior clean and unmarked; pages tanning.  ‘The sudden disappearance of Brian Hopjoy is proving a particularly hard case for Inspector Purbright to explain.  For one thing, the man’s connections with MI5 would make occasional absences understandable; for another, two high-powered “Service” types are bent on conducting their own investigation.  But the unpleasant fact remains that something – or someone – has dissolved in a bath of acid…’ (from rear wrap)