Skin Deep

The title of this splendid first novel refers to a truth that Harvard law-grad David Loya (born and bred in the L.A. barrio) must learn before he ``closes the circle of his past.'' Ostensibly, however, this novel is about a mystery that David is asked to help solve, namely, the whereabouts of a Mexican woman, the maid of his best friend's father. The father is running for re-election to the state senate, and the pretty, illegal immigrantDavid is toldhas stolen all the strategy papers for the senator's campaign. To search for the maid, David must return to a barrio far deadlier than the one he thought he knew. What ensues is well-paced, often poignant and thoroughly engaging. (Jan . )