Murder at the Super Bowl

Fans of pro football's ""finer points'' (bombs, blitzes, shotgun formation, etc.) will probably like this. Sales may also be generated by Tarkenton, legendary Minnesota Vikings quarterback and author (How to Motivate People. The expansion-team Brooklyn Wizards, aided by wild-card luck and wily QB ``Crazy Al'' Tilley, make it to the Super Bowl, where they are to play the huge, tough Oregon Orcas. A week before the game, however, the Wizards' coach is murdered, his head bashed in. New York Daily Sentry sports scribe Marc Burr discovers the body and tries to get a scoop for his paper. Soon he finds himself caught between a tough Brooklyn cop, who wants Marc's help in sleuthing, and the killer himself. Ex-Olympic gymnast Marc has a plethora of suspects, all of whom hated the vile coach. Drugs and gambling rear their heads, and Marc is in danger. After the big game, described in great detail, all is resolved to the satisfaction of the cops and Marc's editor, if not of mystery fans. Marc's tedious speculations turn our hero's boyish charms to wimpishness. Edgar nominee Resnicow wrote The Gold Curse and The Seventh Crossword, among other books. 100,000 first printing. (November 18)