You Get What You Pay for

Tony Cassella, New York private detective, continues to recount his escapades in this sequel to Beinhart's first novel, No One Rides for Free , winner of rave reviews and an MWA Edgar. The appointment of Randolph Gunderson as U.S. attorney general adds to rumors about his financial association with city mobsters, suspected of torching Gunderson's unprofitable buildings. Although Cassella is frankly amoral, he is outraged by the alleged crimes of the new presidential cabinet member and goes looking for facts to back the rumors. The investigation takes the detective to the nation's capitol, to Florida and even to France, and into colorful company that includes amorous women, a shady U.S. senator, an unfrocked priest, profit-hungry media evangelists and Cassella's gangster kin. Trusting in ends that justify means, the detective plunges into the most foolhardy betrayal of his dicey life. The resolution is virtually guaranteed to confirm Beinhart's standing as an extraordinarily gifted author, no more afraid to take daring chances than his tarnished hero. This is a remarkable achievement, with nonstop frights contrasted by uproariously funny incidents and the 20/20 dialogue that personalizes the widely different characters. 50,000 first printing; $50,000 ad/promo; Literary Guild and Mystery Book club alternates. (August)