Deadly Variations

Seven years ago, Mark Holland left British Intelligence and a woman he loved because the duplicity in his life was unbearable. Now, successful as a classical music agent in Geneva, and in love with his beautiful assistant, he is understandably perturbed when an ex-colleague from the Department cajoles him into taking on one last assignment. His wariness turns out to be justified, as the job requires that he not only manipulate the trust of a man whose life he once saved, but also that he endanger the life of his ex-lover as well. Myers writes at too slow a clip (and his plot turns are too facile and few) for him to generate much suspense, but he does have a moving, poetic knack for capturing the flavor of certain citiesparticularly New Yorkand in conveying the sophisticated world of international concert stars. February 28