RED RAIN

Crow, "the pseudonym of a prizewinning, critically acclaimed literary novelist," comes forth with this raw-edged, Ramboesque crime drama about a Baltimore police detective's secret past and his frenzied pursuit of an old foe. None of his colleagues on the force know that narcotics cop Luther Ewing got kicked out of the U.S. Special Forces for inappropriate violence during the Gulf War. Nor do they know that Ewing then turned mercenary sniper, killing at least 84 Serb soldiers in Bosnia before getting shot in the head himself. Baltimore police are also unaware that the man who has seized the city's street drug trade, a ruthless Russian mobster named Vassily, is one of Ewing's former buddies in the soldier-for-hire ranks. Forsaking his old friendship, Ewing leads a sting operation to nab Vassily; not only does it fail, but the drug kingpin vows to come after him. Blood spills up and down the eastern seaboard, from Baltimore to Brighton Beach, as the two battle-hardened warriors track each other. The action moves in steady, violent bursts, interwoven with moments of tense reflection and preparation as the hunt progresses. It's a strong beginning to what is apparently envisioned as a series. Through vivid first-person narration, Ewing emerges as a well-constructed caricature—a complex brooder, scarred by his past, emotionally distant—but exactly the kind of man for those nasty jobs no one else is willing to do. (May 13)

Forecast:The pseudonym adds an extra bit of intrigue to this serviceable thriller. Sales could go up if the writer's identity is leaked.