The Beryllium Murder

Of all the nomenclatural devices mystery authors have devised to gain recognition, none may be more ambitious or obscure than Minichino's use of the periodic table. This is the fourth in the author's series of elemental mysteries (following Hydrogen, Helium and Lithium). Fortunately, here, as before, knowledge of science is not a prerequisite to enjoying the sleuthing of Gloria Lamerino, 56, a retired physicist who's found a new, and much more dangerous, career as an amateur sleuth and sometime assistant to the Revere, Mass., police when they are confronted by a case that needs scientific input. The suspicious death of former colleague Gary Larkin is enough to prompt Lamerino to visit old friends in Berkeley, Calif., where the local cops are definitely not welcoming. She is soon fully involved in tracking the events leading to Larkin's death by beryllium poisoning, as well as to the disappearance of the teenage son of her girlfriend's beau. Minichino nicely picks her way through the difficulties of creating a scientific grounding for her mystery without off-putting technical jargon. That, plus Lamerino's blend of courage, reasoning and perseverance, and a well-constructed plot, make for another attractive mystery in an impressive series. Agent, Elaine Koster. (Mar.)