Dead Ringer

Ex-stuntman Jerry Boyes, forced to leave the film business when he was severely injured stunting for movie star Stuart Tyson, has had to settle for a routine life as a security guard. Years later, Tyson reappears and asks him to help hand over ransom money to the kidnappers of business tycoon Howard Maxwell. The venture goes awry, Tyson is murdered and Sandra HeathBoyes's ex-girlfriend and Tyson's ex-wifeturns out to have some mysterious role in the affair, which revolves around the conflicting family business interests of Maxwell, his wife, and a partner, Ian McBride. Ormerod (Seeing Red, Face Value is in full diverting form in his 20th thriller, blending flavorful family melodrama in the Dynasty mode with his bracing wit, taut dialogue and a suspenseful plot that features several betrayals and some essential mayhem. (July)