Murder in the Rough

Penzler, the mystery genre's jack-of-all-trades (editor, publisher, bookseller), showcases golf in this enjoyable all-original anthology, the fourth entry in his sports crime series (Murder at the Racetrack , etc.). Authors who would qualify for the senior tour turn in some of the best performances, including Lawrence Block's wry "Welcome to the Real World" and Jonathan Gash's "Death by Golf," in which Lovejoy performs an uncharacteristic good deed. Also on the senior circuit are H.R.F. Keating, who reaches back to golf's beginnings in "Miss Unwin Plays by the Rules," and William Tapply, who spins the best caddy story in "Unplayable Lies." Ken Bruen's brutal "Spittin Iron" and Ian Rankin's "Graduation Day," which features a very tricky shot, add an international flavor, while Laura Lippman, sole distaff member, offers the clever "A Good **** Spoiled." Other contributors include Steve Hamilton, Bradford Morrow, John Sandford and Simon Brett. There are a few hooks and slices, but just about everyone breaks par. (June)