The Wise Child

Despite the success of the first two installments of Stirling's Glasgow saga ( The Good Provider ; The Asking Price ), the third volume is heavy and uneven. Kirsty Nicholson has chosen to remain in a common-law marriage with policeman Craig Nicholson, ostensibly for the sake of their young son, Bobby. Craig is indifferent to wife and son, and Kirsty eventually learns of his affair with Greta Taylor, who has a small daughter. Setting up a shop with the help of her brother-in-law, Kirsty strives for independence and also finds an opportunity to revenge herself on Craig by hiring Greta. While the women find a common ground in their desire for security, Craig's many relatives pursue their various--mainly selfish--ends. Almost no one in this epic has any feeling for anyone else, and it is difficult to find a locus of sympathy when the point of view shifts erratically. The narrative concludes in a manner that assumes a sequel, without adequately resolving several story threads. (Sept.)