The Beast Within: A Novel Based on the Diaries of C. Eddie Conrad

Walters's lurid first novel chronicles, in diary form, protagonist Eddie Conrad's transformation from distraught widower to sadistic sexaholic, a process that releases his ""inner beast."" Still an unrecognized artist at 40, Conrad breaks beautiful hearts all over Baltimore until he meets Lisa Nichols, a feminist journalist who resembles his deceased wife. Their courtship consists of much vulgar banter--and more's in store when Lisa makes a conquest of Eddie's 20-year-old assistant, the sexual Jill-of-all-trades Kim Crouger. This fans Eddie's flames, and he embarks on an obsessive relationship with Kim. The characterizations are shallow and the plot is propelled solely by Eddie's libido. One half expects the novel to end with Eddie Conrad waking from a dream, so much does it resemble a fairy tale for middle-aged men. (Nov.)