Unsolicited

Murder and struggles for both power and love move this competent, slightly sluggish debut set in the publishing industry. Two years ago, London's Plumtree Press, run by amiable young Alex Plumtree, was saved from going under with the delivery of a manuscript by an author who identified himself only as ``Arthur.' ' The novel's rise to the top of the bestseller charts bodes well for the publication of its sequel, planned for the next month. But with the sequel five chapters short of completion, ``Arthur'' has suddenly severed communications, leaving Plumtree out on a limb and facing bankruptcy. Then a well-known reviewer claims that the bestseller and the promised sequel, both about the kidnapping and sale of juvenile WW II refugees to Americans, is more fact than fiction. The reviewer is found murdered and then Alex is threatened. He goes undercover to save his life, his business and his author, traveling to Nantucket where he endures near fatal danger to finger the murderer, establish the truth about the wartime kidnappings, win the girl and be pretty certain about Arthur's true identity. (July)