Murder Be Hanged

Writing under his own name and the nom de plume Jonathan Rossiter, prolific British author Ross ( Daphne Dead and Done For ) has penned 27 novels, but his latest George Rogers mystery lacks tension. Recently divorced, 42-year-old Det. Supt. Rogers has been fretting that his lust for golf is replacing his interest in women when he agrees to meet an anonymous caller, who turns out to be ill-mannered Willie Sloane, age 18. Soon after Willie confidentially reveals his concern that ``the man who calls himself my stepfather'' has threatened his mother, gunshots are reported at Tower House, the residence of Willie's mother, Rachel Horsbrugh. One bullet has stuck the chair in which the very attractive Mrs. Horsbrugh, usually--though not that night--sat to watch the news and the other has exploded the TV. Retired Col. Henry Horsbrugh has gone missing; investigation reveals the man's somewhat disreputable past. Before the tale is ended, five people will have died, all victims in one way or another of Rachel's sexual allure, to which even Rogers responds briefly--although not enough to spark this drab, generally predictable tale. (Apr.)