Looker

Kilian ( By Order of the President ) immediately wins readers in this initially intriguing thriller, only to lose them when the plot takes a different direction. His hero is A. C. James, reporter turned social columnist for the New York City newspaper owned by his wife. After a fashion show, at which he is smitten by ravishing blonde model Camilla Santee, A.C. witnesses the shooting of model Molly Wickham by a passing motorcyclist. Black detective Ray Lanham is assigned to the investigation, during which A.C. meets Camilla, whose air of mystery excites him as much as her beauty. While A.C. searches for the truth about Camilla and her family, Lanham investigates the murder; the two plot lines converge as many of Camilla's acquaintances add to the body count. Kilian's story gets out of hand as the corpses pile up; Camilla lacks emotional credibility; and Lanham, more appealing than A.C., uncharacteristically throws police procedure out the window. Readers may wonder whether the resolution of all this justifies their patient efforts. (Jan.)