Natural Prey

Mathis stars Texas private eye Dan Roman in a third boffo mystery, packed with as many tense and twisty scenes as the previous Dark Streaks and Empty Places. Hired by Naomi Kincade to locate and bring home from California her out-of-work and discouraged husband Ralph, Dan succeeds. But shortly afterwards, somebody murders Ralph. At the request of homicide Capt. Homer Sellers, Dan questions Naomi, her teenage son David and daughter Cynthia. The three have solid alibis, and the case is at a standstill although the detective picks up certain clues that hint of disreputable secrets guarded by the family. At the same time, the police are burdened by the murder of rich, elderly Mr. LeClair, the town's leading citizen. Through a masterful feat of reasoning, Dan proves that this crime has grown from the same obscene roots as the Kincade killing. (August)