Rinehart Shouts

This latest installment of the adventures of Zan Hagen and Arthur Rinehart skims toward a resolution like a racing skiff toward the finish line, with a clean, crisp use of language and no wasted motion. Zan is traveling cross-country; the reader gets only glimpses of her through the postcards she sends and Arthur's dreamy speculation of what she's doing. This is really Arthur's story, as he, his wealthy ex-librarian grandmother and her chauffeur Hal comprise the crew of the Read More, a shell they enter in a regatta on the Potomac. Arthur is only doing it because of his interest in birdshe has several species on his list that he'll only be able to see from the river. His grandmother needs the exercise, and Hal is getting paid (a dollar for every perfect stroke, which he is saving for a car). A mismatched threesome, certainly, but they finish in first place and pitch reading to the media in a surprising but entirely credible race. Richard Egielski provides a winning jacket painting of Arthur in his moment of triumph. (8-12)