A Conspiracy of Strangers

Police officer Deb Ralston tackles crime in Fort Worth again, in the sequel to Martin's applauded debut, Too Sane A Murder. Wife, mother, grandmother and 16 years a cop, the detective relates events generated by her discovery of a pregnant murdered woman, one among many persons reported missing in Fort Worth and other Texas towns. There are other killings, and Ralston comes close to dying herself, as she investigates the cases with telltale links. Working diligently, she exposes a ring that sells newborn babies for huge sums after ""disposing of'' the abducted, imprisoned mothers. The author's realistic colloquialism and quick wit temper the stark terrors in this swift, tense adventure that should assure Deb's future as a favorite sleuth. (November 17)