The Party Killer: A Julian Quist Mystery Novel

Old pro Pentecost sets the stage quickly and brightly, spins the action briskly and delivers a fine, old-fashioned whodunit. The solution is a tad unlikely and there are stretches when everybody seems to be asking everybody else the same questions, but the book works. Ace public relations man Julian Quist is in New England for an event that practically needs no PR. Larry Lewis, legendary pintsized star of stage and screen, is opening his ""dream resort.'' Among the few hundred famous guests are all four of Lewis's famous ex-wives. The morning after a gala bash, Lewis's cottage is blown up and two bodies are found. One is Lewis's newest ex, but the man's body isn't Lewis's; he surfaces after a night with another lady. Then the comedian vanishes and in the next 24 hours two more ex-Mrs. Lewises are brutally killed. Is Lewis, ``Mr. Wonderful'' to the world, the murderer? Where is he? How did the killer manage his deeds with the hotel crawling with cops? Suave, handsome Quist (Substitute Victim) comes up with the solution, at his own peril. Among the many ways this novel will appeal to tradionalists is the use of the word ``gay'' to mean festive. U.K. rights: A. M. Heath; translation rights: Brandt & Brandt. January