Tropical Heat

Set in Florida, the new world capital for mysteries it seems, this is a taut, suspenseful private-eye novel by the author of the well-received Nightlines. With a tone and style reminiscent of Elmore Leonard, the plot concerns Fred Carver, an ex-cop disabled by a hold-up man's bullet, who has turned to private investigating. When Edwina Talbott, a striking real-estate broker, asks Carver to investigate the suspected suicide of her lover, Willis Davis, Carver finds himself as interested in his client as he is in the case. Soon, Carver is stalked by a group of violent Cuban ""Marielitos,'' and it becomes apparent that the missing Davis is involved in something criminal. When a drug enforcement agent enters the picture, the signs point to drugs, but Lutz uses some neat twists to avoid the obvious. There is plenty of action and good local scenery in this absorbing tale of intrigue. (July 15)