Mexico is Forever

Readers of Schutz's ( A Fistful of Empty ) sixth procedural starring D.C. investigator Leo Haggerty will be fascinated to watch the savvy PI wield ``the most dangerous tool in the world, the telephone.'' Starting with a few meager facts about beautiful, elusive Sarabeth Timmons--who may or may not be heir to a sizable sum--the methodical Haggerty and his staff uncover increasingly bizarre intelligence leading to a powerful Hollywood VIP, corrupt law enforcers, porn-film producers and murder. Fortunately for Haggerty, his many trustworthy friends are happy to extend helping hands as he sinks deeper into this moral morass. And just when talkiness threatens to overwhelm, the author tosses in two brief but blockbusting action scenes and one steamy instance of coitus interruptus. An open-ended hero-tied-to-the-railroad-tracks finale should leave readers impatient for Haggerty's next outing. Haggerty starred in ``Mary, Mary, Shut the Door,'' Schutz's 1993 Edgar-winning short story. (Apr.)