I Know a Trick Worth Two of That

Adopting his hero's name, the pseudonymous author presented a wonderfully devious tale in the actor-sleuth's debut, One Of Us Is Wrong. Equally witty and engaging, this sequel starts in Holt's Manhattan town house, where a crime induces him to emulate ""Packard,'' the detective he had played in a popular TV series. Holt is sheltering Doug Walford, on the run from mobsters, when the man dies during a party; the verdict is suicide. The actor, however, knows Walford was killed to prevent him from exposing illegalities covered up by eminent public figures. Facing the unwelcome fact that the murderer is one of his guests, all of them friends, Holt questions each in turn but for a time gets nowhere, except into trouble. The amateur sleuth survives a beating by thugs and finally prevails, gathering the evidence that clinches the case. The swift, tense developments reach a denouement that will surprise the keenest whodunit fan. No matter who this author is, he delivers smashing adventures. (November 17)