The Executor

The 13th thriller in Hammond's racy, witty series starts with his Scottish gunsmith Keith Calder being named executor of Robin Winterton's estate. Learning that Winterton was murdered and his priceless gun collection is missing, Calder uses his knowledge as a former rogue to investigate. He also gets help from his adolescent daughter Deborah (a charmer with her father's mettle) who joins him in the search for the vanished collection. Among the suspects Calder questions are Winterton's grasping widow, her son and stepson, particularly the latter two, who are guarding sad secrets. Developments test the reader's nerves before the shrewd hero and his staunch daughter produce evidence against the killers of Winterton and others. Recovering the stolen firearms is an added triumph for this captivating pair. (May 20)