Paper Phoenix

Recently divorced by her handsome, influential husband, Maggie Longstreet, 44, languishes in her San Francisco home, measuring out her days in naps. She is stirred by feelings of revenge, however, when she reads that one of her ex-husband's enemies, an investigative reporter, has died under suspicious circumstances. Deciding to check out the journalist's last days, Maggie becomes friendly with one of his colleagues, another bright young reporter, half her age. Working together (and more), Maggie and Andrew uncover widespread corruption in San Francisco's real estate development circles. Maggie's former husband is seriously implicated, and Maggie becomes the target of threats, kidnapping and a few wild shots from a revolver. About as credible as a TV movie, Friedman's third novel (Hurricane Season and The Fault Tree is nevertheless full of generous good humor and high spirits. (April 2)