Political Suicide

When the body of MP James Partridge is dredged from the Thames, more fuss is made of the empty seat in the House of Commons than of the conscientious politician's probable suicide. Looking for leads, Superintendent Sutcliffe of Scotland Yard follows the three leading contenders as they scramble for support in the quickly organized Yorkshire election. The Tory contender is slick and opportunistic, the Labour man charismatic but unreliable, and the local Alliance candidate one whose electoral appeal has already proven limited. Sutcliffe turns up plenty of shady doings, and worse, in the candidates' histories, and his final solution reminds that in politics and murder, personalities are always more germane than issues. Author of Fete Fatale and Death of an Old Goat, Barnard has mastered the unpredictable, credible plot, and writes with warmth and mellow wit. (March 31)