Death at Deepwood Grange

In his 30th novel (A Party to Murder, etc.) Underwood again centers on Rosa Epton, sophisticated criminal solicitor with chambers in London's Whitford Street. This time she is involved in a murder with a cast of characters reminiscent of Agatha Christie. Among them: Alison Tremlett, a hard porn author; Sir Wesley, a retired judge and his subdued wife; David Anderson, a man of mystery; and thrice-married Margaret Lakington, Rosa's godmother. All are tenants of Deepwood Grange, a converted minipalace in whose one deserted apartment is found a corpse stuffed in the chimney. Contributing to the twisty plot are a cockney jewel thief, a lawyer proficient in the martial arts and stubborn, blundering police officers. Wry humor and British understatement conspire to make this articulate mystery an intriguing exercise. (July 28)