Maple leaf logo MapleMysteries.ca
Cover of The night the gods smiled

The night the gods smiled

Book 1 of the Charlie Salter Series

by Eric Wright

Inspector Charlie Salter, a detective with the Toronto Police Department, is assigned to solve the murder of Professor David Summers, an English professor at a local college, who was found dead in a Montreal hotel room during a conference. The only clues are a lipstick-marked glass and a whisky bottle used to crush Summer's skull. As Salter delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of potential suspects, including Summers' mistress, his wife, and his squash partner, leading to a complex and intriguing investigation.

Find nearby libraries

Find this book in your local library

Finding libraries near you...


Publisher: Collins

Date: 1983

ISBN: 9780002226349

Location: Montreal, Quebec; Toronto, Ontario

Sub-genres: Police Procedural , Urban

About The Author

Eric Wright (1929–2015) was a celebrated English-Canadian mystery novelist best known for his Charlie Salter and Joe Barley series. Born in London, England, he immigrated to Canada in 1951. He held a B.A. from the University of Manitoba (1957) and an M.A. from the University of Toronto (1963), and he taught English at Ryerson University from 1958 to 1989. Throughout his distinguished literary career, Wright received numerous honors, including the Arthur Ellis Award, the City of Toronto Book Award, the John Creasey Award, and the Crime Writers of Canada Grand Master Award.

More About Eric Wright