The Josie Gambit

Shura's latest novel is typical of her linguistic skills and sense of story. The narrator, Greg Farrell, visits the Nolan family where he had learned to play chess. There he meets rude Tory Mitchell, who has been left in the Nolans' care. Josie Nolan, believing Tory is her best friend, makes excuses for the girl, who is supposedly unhappy because she wants to live with her indulgent father. As ominous events develop, Josie's older brother Jason and Greg suspect that Torya whiz at chessplans to use them and the entire Nolan family as pawns in a nasty game. But, as the conscienceless player learns, a gambit is ""a high-risk play,'' settling the way the game turns out. That's not how overconfident Tory has expected it, but she has to live with the consequences. For readers unfamiliar with the game, Greg provides a neatly illustrated set of notes, rounding out a psychologically sound and exciting story. (10-upst)