Widow's Web

Little Rock, Ark., businessman Ron Orsini was fatally shot on March 12, 1981. His blood-soaked body was found by Mary Lee Orsini, his wife of five years. The police immediately suspected her, for the evidence of a break-in looked feigned and her tears contrived. In this taut and gripping story, former Newsweek reporter Lyons covers the case. Although a grand jury initially did not indict her, in 1983 Mary Lee was convicted of murdering her husband. The conviction was overturned, but she was then convicted of murdering her defense attorney's wife, Alice McArthur. The ``McArthur Case'' emerged as the most notorious murder trial in Arkansas history. Lyons provides ample regional flavor. And he shows how feverishly Mary Lee manipulated her attorney, neighbors, friends, the public and Tommy Robinson, a local Sheriff who is now a member of Congress. Mary Lee is serving a life without parole sentence. Photos not seen by PW. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternates. (Aug.)