A Fine Red Rain

Kaminsky's three novels (including the Edgar nominee Black Knight in Red Square starring the shrewd, temperate Inspector Rostnikov of the Moscow police have attracted many readers. This new tale finds Rostnikov trying to save a young circus aerialist from the killer of her two fellow performers. The inspector himself is like an acrobat on the high wire without a net, a target of both his jealous supervisor and the unknown murderer. Working day and night, Rostnikov nonetheless assumes the added burden of helping his colleague, Karpo, catch the mad knifer of eight prostitutes. The inspector also foils a plot by a Soviet official who threatens Rostnikov's young policeman friend, Tkach, before this witty, intricate thriller reaches a suspenseful finale in the center ring under the Moscow Circus Big Top. (May 29)