A Case of Innocence

In this amusing entry in the tough-private-eye genre, attorney James P. Casey believes himself too cynical and world-weary to be taken in by a sob story--until Linda Matasseren walks into his office and shows him a picture of her kidnapped six-year-old daughter. Little Sara has been snatched by her father's drug-dealing associates, who want Linda to tell them the location of Matasseren's stash. Case, who is convinced Linda knows nothing about its whereabouts, calls on a seemingly endless network of school buddies, ex-clients, friendly cops, even a mob-connected cousin, to find the little girl before the kidnappers carry out their threat to kill her. Following leads, which often turn into graphically violent confrontations, from Wichita to Dallas to Kansas City, Case develops as a likable shamus with integrity, a self-deprecating manner and appealing froggy-green eyes. (Nov.)