Rough Cut

Cook's second caper featuring private eye Chico Cervantes is standard fare, its only break with tradition the Mexican background and perspective of the hero. Ex-cop Cervantes is hired to guard a headstrong young German woman, daughter of a world-famous movie producer. Someone is intent upon delaying or destroying her father's latest project and seems willing to kill to achieve those ends. A major industrial investigations firm is somehow involved, as is a vicious street gang. Chico is also concerned about Alicia, the pregnant prostitute who saved his life during his first adventure ( Mexican Standoff ) and now shares his life. This novel is like its hero: competent but basically ordinary. (Dec.)