A London detective investigates after a fictional character seems to come to life to harass his creator in this classic British mystery. <p/> Richard Eliot began writing crime novels to fund his son's education. The protagonist, known as "the Spider," started off as a notorious criminal and later transformed into a private investigator. Now, after thirty-eight entries in the series, Eliot is considering putting the Spider to bed. <p/> Someone else, however, has a different idea. At first, Eliot's manuscripts are rewriting themselves overnight. Then neighbors are burglarized, sinister messages appear, and soon someone is recreating storylines that the author never shared with anyone. <p/> With the situation reaching a fever pitch, Eliot calls upon Insp. John Appleby to investigate. Now Scotland Yard's best must determine who is the mastermind behind this puzzling plot before the Spider strikes again . . . <p/>Originally published under the title The Spider Strikes. <p/> "For careful, dignified and at the same time unfailingly witty writing it would be hard to beat and the characterization . . . is admirable." --The Times Literary Supplement <p/> "An erudite and curious novel . . . not to be missed by connoisseurs." --The Times (London)
