Prescription for Murder

Williams's latest Mark Treasure mystery finds the ever stodgy but still likable British sleuth acting as non-executive chairman of the board for Closter Drug, which is well on its way to marketing a cure for migraine headaches. When one of the members of the board is kidnapped by a group claiming to be animal rights activists, other board members are forced to sell their Closter shares to prevent his death. The kidnap victim is subsequently found dead and Treasure must uncover the identity of the murderer before he strikes again. Though well-plotted and researched, stiff writing and a lack of suspense combine to make this a laborious read. (Mar.)