Vanish with the Rose

The prolific Michaels ( Into the Darkness ) sets off her latest high-voltage mystery the instant Diana Reed, a shrewd and determined lawyer, appears at the Nicholson estate in Maryland as their new landscape architect. Diana is actually searching for her younger brother Brad, who disappeared eight months earlier while working as caretaker for the estate's previous owner, Miss Musser. With considerable guile and a superficial knowledge of roses, Diana charms the Nicholsons into leaving her in charge of their manor for several weeks. Flying into action and dropping her disguise, she enlists the aid of Mary Jo, the feisty cleaning woman/student who once had an affair with Brad. Other allies are found in Walt Slade, the industrious, provocative gardener, and Andy Davis, Mrs. Nicholson's inept yet endearing son. The four disparate friends pry discreetly and focus their suspicions on Miss Musser's smarmy lawyer and Mary Jo's violent ex-husband. Woven through events are disquieting elements: crystal-clear music, lingering perfume and ambiguous forms suggesting an unworldy figure; indeed, Diana is saved from serious harm by a hand (quite literally) from another world. Michaels once again offers a witty, intricate and ultimately surprising story, with strong characterizations that keep the sparks flying. Literary Guild alternate; Doubleday Book Club main selection. (Aug.)