The Man Who Was Taller Than God

For more than a decade, Carl Wilcox, Adams's Depression-era hero (last seen in The Naked Liar ) has solved cases involving murders and other misdeeds in small South Dakota towns. Having progressed from usual suspect (because of his convict background) to ersatz PI without losing any of his ne'er-do-well charm, Carl is again painting signs, this time in Hope, near his hometown of Corden. After a youngster discovers the murdered body of Felton Edwards, a local known for inveterate womanizing and big-money scheming, Hope's mayor asks Carl to investigate. Stolidly tracing suspects in Hope (``around Corden we just called it Hopeless'') and nearby Edenberg, Carl encounters the usual complement of beautiful women, including a stunning redhead who proves crucial to the solution. Though unexceptional in plot and presentation, this is comfortable, competent and pleasantly nostalgic crime fiction. (Oct.)