The Mother Shadow

Melodie Johnson Howe. Penguin Books, $5.95 (272pp) ISBN 978-0-14-011778-3

``This gem of a mystery introduces the improbable sleuthing duo of Maggie Hill and Claire Conrad, reminiscent of Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin. Thanks to Howe's stylish writing in the hard-boiled tradition, it is both gripping and entertaining, with wonderfully vivid characters and a deft plot abounding with twists and turns,'' determined PW . (Aug.)

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