cover image Montana Heat

Montana Heat

Valerie Grey. Pocket Books, $4.95 (320pp) ISBN 978-0-671-72728-4

Venture capitalist Thomas Blackhurst's annual ball in his plush Sultan Valley, Mont., resort home becomes the catalyst for a series of disasters, including murder, sexual blackmail and kidnapping. Blackhurst is planning the takeover of competitor Hank Nicholls's company, with the help of Nicholls's own son, Buddy. But Blackhurst's alcoholic wife, Grace, a former actress who abandoned her career to ride the wave of her husband's success, is photographed in compromising positions with Nicholls during the bash. She is forced to include her beautiful daughter, Tava, in the blackmail scheme when Nicholls demands his pleasure with her as the price of keeping silent. Nicholls is found dead soon after, and Tava is framed for the murder and escapes, taking the evidence that could save her. The real murderer's hit man pursues and kidnaps her, eluding both the police and Blackhurst's hunters, who are led by his loyal chauffeur, Hans. Unfortunately, Hans is the only credible character in an unpleasant tale, and stilted dialogue and awkward prose make this first novel rough going. (Jan.)