Over the Edge

The third novel to feature child psychologist Alex Delaware begins with a desperate, garbled phone call from former patient Jamey Cadmus, genius of record and heir to a construction fortune. The next day, Jamey is accused of the Lavender Slashings, a series of grisly homosexual murders that have rocked Los Angeles. The teenager's lawyer asks Alex to examine Jamey's recent history with the hope that a plea of diminished capacity will protect Jamey from a prison sentence. Though soon fired, Alex continues his investigation, motivated by the compassion and intelligence previously demonstrated in When the Bough Breaks and Blood Test. Tracing the rocky road of Jamey's emotional development, Alex crisscrosses L.A., moving from Beverly Hills mansions to biker cabins, from the old Haight district to mountain canyons, with stops at the U.C.L.A. medical library, the high-security section of the L.A.P.D. jail and some exquisitely appointed legal offices. Aided by his friend, homicide detective Milo Sturgis, Alex ignores warnings to stay away from the case and begins to discern an ominous pattern in Jamey's family history, connecting esoteric South American hallucinogens, a massively irresponsible real-estate scam and the ageless human motivations of revenge and greed. The first two Alex Delaware books were very good indeed. This one, more complexly plotted, more richly psychological and filled with convincing financial and pharmacological details, is the best yet. Paperback rights to NAL; Mystery Guild main selection; Literary Guild alternate. (April 23)