The Lies of Fair Ladies

In his 15th Lovejoy mystery, Gash ( The Great California Game ) again conveys ``the bliss that is antiques'' as his antiques dealer/sleuth returns to the deceptively idyllic English countryside of East Anglia. Here, as Lovejoy's fans well know, the picture-book scenery is the backdrop for antiques scams--this time on an uprecedentedly large scale that, when combined with a desire for revenge nurtured for centuries, provide multiple motives for murder. Accompanied--and bedded--by a bevy of fair ladies whose husbands he deftly outmaneuvers, Lovejoy investigates brutal murder and discovers an operation in which large caches of stolen antiques are hidden until it is safe to sell them. In his new assistant, the mayor's wife, Lovejoy confides fascinating antiques tips. Other memorable characters include Prammie Joe, who keeps illegally acquired antiques on a small barge hidden in the reedy landscape, and the Great Marvella, a fortune teller/masseuse/ventriloquist who employs a snake to pronounce her clients' fortunes. This gem should secure Gash's fortunes. (Aug.)