Liar's Game

His standard themes of love, betrayal and commitment-phobia in the African-American community are again explored by Dickey in his fifth novel, but this time around a jigger of political consciousness spikes the author's seductive formula. Vincent Calvary Browne Jr., a thoughtful hunk with a baritone voice, is licking his wounds after an extremely painful divorce from a bitter ex-wife who will not let him see his daughter. He is left with little faith in women until he meets Dana Ann Smith, who has come to Los Angeles to escape harsh memories of a failed romance. Wary of intimacy, the two reluctantly forge a relationship, fearing the sudden intrusion of their pasts could destroy their fragile love connection. When Dana's old flame, Claudio, resurfaces, slick, successful and determined to win her back, her tentative affections for Vince are put to the test. Meanwhile, Vince's recollections of his wanton ex tempt him to act out as he plots to see his beloved child. Since this old chestnut of a plot cannot sustain an entire book, Dickey ups the ante by tossing in two subplots. One involves Dana's stripper friend, Gerri, and her philandering husband, Jefferson, who may have impregnated one of the female rap singers he manages, and another focuses on Vince's friend, Womack, who is fearful that his wife is having an affair. As in Dickey's previous popular romances, he creates heroes and heroines who overcome many trials without ever suffering any real defeats. On the plus side are the author's quips on political and cultural issues such as police brutality and justice, custody issues, and cultural conflicts between Africans and African-Americans. 15-city author tour. (July)