My Dead Brother

In this offbeat mystery set in Houston, protagonist Mel Morris, moderately successful science fiction novelist and unhappy divorce, is informed by police Lt. Bob Gould that the man convicted of killing his brother Gene three years earlier will soon be released from prison, his alibi having been proven true. Despite Gould's assurances that the case is closed, Morris is now the prime suspect. As a child he had attempted to kill Gene, the proverbial bad seed, and his hatred of his sibling was widely known. But Morris is not the only suspect with good reason to kill his swindling, womanizing brother. among them are his many vic tims: Jane, Morris's ex-wife whom Gene attmepted to rape; Gene's mis treated wife; and Gene's abandoned mistress. Yes, this needed cutting. thanks. sss Embarking on his own quixotic investigation, with some help and hindrance from the suspiciously friendly cop, Morris discovers not only his brother's murderer but some dark family secrets that enable him to come to terms with his feelings about Gene. Unfortunately, Anderson opts for a slick and superficial cleverness, and further hampers his narrative with hackneyed writing and oversentimentality. (Mar.)