JAMES HADLEY CHASE

The Soft Centre

     Val Burnett's husband, Chris, has had a fatal head injury and has now been brought to the Spanish Bay Hotel, Paradise City, to lie in the sun-and-sands and recuperate.  He is almost a zombie by now, although there is hope of recovery. One day he vanishes from the Spanish Bay Hotel, only to be found the next day, roaming around in a disheveled state on the highway.  The same day, a hard-faced prostitute, Joan Parnell,  is found horrifically ripped apart in a nearby motel room. So far no connection.  But  a cigarette lighter presented to Chris by Val,  is found in the scene of the crime. And blackmailers, gangsters, corrupt private eyes, homosexual criminals and other assorted crooks have a field day.....