An Illegal Solution

In the very British and highly civilized fashion for which he is noted, Ashford ( A Conflict of Interests ) poses a common modern moral dilemma: Can a policeman go outside the law to trap a suspect whose guilt remains otherwise unprovable? Detective-sergeant Hugh O'Connor is an upright family man whose hatred for the drug trade and the havoc it wreaks leads him to try to plant cocaine on a dealer who has evaded charges brought by the standard means. When the plan backfires, O'Connor can turn only to his assistant, detective-inspector Jim Brent, who must decide whether to lie and risk his own career in order to help his friend. His choice is made clear when criminal forces threaten the young woman currently in possession of his fancy. Brief and well-written, this tale is an enjoyable look at what happens when ``the truth has become lies and lies have become truth.'' (July)