Baker's second Sam Turner novel is a tough, gritty read in the new, modern manner of the British thriller - Dame Agatha must be revolving in her grave. Turner lives in York, is a private detective and has gathered a rather esoteric staff about him. There is street-wise Geordie, out of work snooker player and avid womaniser Gus, and retired English teacher Celia. Enter Norman Bunce, an escaped psychopath, who kills as easily as other people swat flies. He is in York to find a former girlfriend, Snow White, and hires Sam and his associates to find her. Thus is set in motion a decidedly weird scenario, one that becomes ever more off-the-wall as it progresses. If you're a P.D. James or Elizabeth George fan you won't like this one, but if you're into black comedy with a touch of surrealism then Death Minus Zero will have you chuckling through the length of its two hundred odd pages.