Blood Under the Bridge

Gruesome murders of beautiful women, the horrifying childhood of a literature professor, a sex therapist's coded diary and a well-hidden surprise ending are just a few of the elements that round out this admirable first novel. Set in San Francisco, the psychological mystery features Quinn Parker, a wealthy young man who runs a unique counseling business and his friends, who include an aspiring comedian and a once-up-and-coming lawyer who has opted for a less driven lifestyle. When Quinn discovers the mutilated body of his lover, he becomes the homicide division's prime suspect. To clear himself and understand what was going on in Sonia's life that might have ended in her murder, he begins his own investigation, leading him to an earlier, similar murder, to the back reaches of rural Virginia, to the arms of another girlfriend and, finally, to unwelcome truths about a friend. While certain events, such as Quinn's easy access to the therapist's files, may stretch credulity, the story rings true in important aspects of character and motivation. Readers will eagerly await the promised next Quinn Parker story. (June)