In a series of complex double-crosses a menacing mystery builds: Who is the "Sardine" behind the killing? "The Sardine Deception" is Leif Davidsen's author debut book from 1984. The novel takes place in the Basque Country, where a young Danish woman has been killed during an ETA attack. Her husband, Poul, travels to Spain to retrieve the coffin and is involuntarily drawn into political intrigues involving Basque freedom fighters, the Spanish government, civil guards and fascist infiltrated police.