A Wicked Slice

Charlotte Elkins makes her mystery debut with her husband Aaron, 1988 Edgar winner for Old Bones and author of five additional top whodunits. Golf-pro Lee Ofstead nearly gives up when a ``wicked slice'' hurts her game during the women's tournament in Carmel, Calif. Admiring while envying Kate O'Brian, star of the golf pro circuit, Lee dreams of similar triumphs, but the scenario becomes a nightmare when somebody murders Kate. Detective Graham Sheldon questions Lee first among many suspects, since she found the body and is now replacing Kate as the well-paid endorser of Sawyer's Sports Equipment. Helping Graham with information on the esoteric world of exhibition golf, Lee wins his heart, and together they investigate others: Milt Sawyer of the sports firm, tournament director Nick Pittman and the competing players. After the requisite endangerment of the heroine, the engagingly humorous thriller turns into a Lee/Graham love story. (July)