Silver Spoon Murders

More appropriately titled Serious Crimes when it was published in Britain, the sequel to Smith's first novel, Fathers' Law, rates equal applause, however disturbing its views of English society. Scotland Yard inspector Harry Fathers and detective Yarrow are called to Sir Walter Granthelm's estate in Guilford to investigate the double murder of the lord's niece Ellen Sheerley and her current lover, Robert Homer. The latter was formerly involved sexually with their host's daughter Madeleine, now engaged in an affair with Peter Rankley. But it's not the erotic musical chairs that figure in the case so much as the theft of the Granthelm family silver and suspicions of Sir Walter's dealings with nouveau riche guests from America. Relentless detective work chips away at lies and lofty facades until the culprits stand convicted of drug trafficking, among other serious crimes. The author's realism and cynical humor are effective attributes, as is his talent for creating endearingly human officers (especially Yarrow) whom readers will want to meet again. (April)