" ... David Barron, a hapless British tax inspector, is sent incognito to the tiny West Indian paradise island of Innocent to investigate rich British tax dodgers. But he is soon seduced by the island's glorious scenery and weather, its idyllic rhythm, laidback lifestyle, gentle people, and a beautiful local girl, Shermelle, who captures his heart but disappears without a trace or explanation. The result is a funny, gripping story of love, lust, adventure and mystery in the tropical sun, peopled by a cast of memorable characters: the alarmingly mountainous black housekeeper, Miz Quaintance; the weirdly Shakespearean gardener, Grandad; the corrupt Deputy Prime Minister, Chezroy Billington; the wisecracking Australian beach bar owner, Boozy Suzy; a couple sinister Slavs; and the foul-mouthed parrot, Mother Teresa."--P [4] of cover.