Book Case: A John Marshall Tanner Mystery

In this refreshing addition to the John Marshall Tanner series, San Francisco private dectective Tanner, last seen in the splendid Impact , is hired by a publisher to find the author of an anonymously penned manuscript. Although his client believes that the manuscript is a surefire bestseller, Tanner is convinced it is a prescription for murder. The possible targets could be any of the San Francisco power brokers who, according to the book, had the author imprisoned on a fabricated rape charge. Then Tanner learns that these potential victims are busy covering up another scandal that does indeed soon lead to a homicide. Tanner relentlessly pursues his investigation even when the evidence implicates one of his best friends. In the true-to-life conclusion, Tanner understands how the elite retain control and what he must do to stop them. Greenleaf has once again delivered a book with intriguing plot twists about the causes of moral bankruptcy. (Jan.)