Murder-- Now and Then

McGown ( The Other Woman ) places a complex but rewarding case in the capable hands of series regulars Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd and Inspector Judy Hill. The narrative alternates between ``now'' chapters describing the circumstances of a recent murder in Stansfield, England, and ``then'' sequences detailing a woman's unsolved murder some 13 years past; the same loose circle of acquaintances is implicated in both crimes. When corrupt international businessman Victor Holyoak is stabbed to death, Lloyd and Hill interview a lengthy list of potential killers, including an ex-prostitute and a crooked former policeman. Prime suspects seem to be the Holyoaks' estranged stepdaughter and her husband, whose first wife was strangled to death years before. McGown juggles a vast array of details about her characters' interpersonal relationships, supplying crucial hints in briskly passing flashbacks and flash-forwards. Some key incidents may get short shrift, but readers who stay on their toes through this mostly expository mystery will appreciate its logical, likely conclusion. (Sept. )