What do a koala bear, a devious chef and an emerald necklace have in common? Carl Houston, Sussex hotelier, nearly loses his life finding out in this thriller of international intrigue which bears all the Durbridge hallmarks of suspense, mystery and murder and enjoyed a successful national tour in the 1990s.

Returning from Australia, Carl’s plane is hi-jacked and he saves the life of injured fellow passenger, Ronnie Sheldon. Back home Carl is visited by Inspector Westwood who shows an inordinate interest in the fate of Carl’s flight bag. Other visitors include Carl’s millionaire cousin, Oliver Radford, and the grateful Ronnie Sheldon who warns that Carl and his wife Vanessa are in great danger.
But Carl has other matters on his mind – that is until two murder attempts follow in rapid succession ….

 

“… a brand new mystery from one of the undisputed masters of suspense …” Birkenhead News

“The Small Hours is well-crafted with a proper sense of dramatic climaxes and some very good scenes … It all adds up to a very good evening’s theatre …” Birmingham Post

“…in true Durbridge tradition the audience is swept along in a taut drama and brought to the very edge of their seats as the suspense builds to its chilling climax …” Bath Evening Chronicle