The Body in the Vestibule

The latest engrossing adventure of Faith Fairchild--a young wife and mother and former Manhattan caterer--is set in Lyons, France. Faith, four months pregnant, her husband Tom, a minister who is finishing research for his dissertation, and their three-year-old Ben live in a huge fifth-floor apartment. Taking out the garbage one evening, Faith finds the body of a homeless man from the neighborhood in the trash bin. When the police arrive, however, the body is gone and Faith's credibility is in question. At a party she meets Chief Inspector Michel Ravier, who asks about the body and tells her to call if she witnesses anything else unusual. Then Marie, a prostitute whom Faith passes when she takes Ben to school, advises her to return to America because she knows too much. After Marie's body is found in the river, frightened Faith is unable to get in touch with Ravier, so she determines to look into the business herself. With beautifully detailed descriptions of Lyons added to Faith's intelligent observations, Page ( The Body in the Belfry ) continues to hit the mark with this charming series. (Sept.)