Fire Mask

This unusual mystery features a suspenseful plot with a supernatural twist. Cliff Abbott and his friend Del are coming home from town, where one of Rushmore's oldest and finest buildings is on fire. As they are walking, they spot a man covered with burns lying in the driveway of Rushmore's wealthiest resident. The man murmurs a few senseless phrases and dies. Driven by a supernatural impulse, Cliff is determined to discover the meaning of the man's words. The lives of Cliff, Del and two girls from school are threatened when they become entangled in a dangerous, intricate investigation. Sometimes confusing descriptions of the action and several unanswered questions may prove bewildering. Still, the plot development is absorbing, as each chapter's ending will compel readers to continue on to the next. Cliff's curious, colorful family laces the mystery with humor, and dramatic details bring the story to life. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)