The Fling

Fans of Thompson's accomplished and idealistic novels ( The Grounding of Group 6 ; A Band of Angels ) may well be disappointed by the paper-thin characters and convoluted melodramas in this latest effort. High school student Felicia Gordon begins writing a story in which the main character (based on her real-life best friend, the wealthy Allison) goes to live for a few weeks in an old mansion owned by a mysterious, sophisticated woman. Next thing Felicia knows, Allison takes up residence in the mansion recently acquired by glamorous stranger Kate Mycroft. Felicia quickly realizes that her writing may have some sort of influence on events in the real world. However promising, this plot device never becomes more than a gimmick, and Felicia's first-person account (along with her literary ventures) is glib and irritating: ``Annabel D. Day, like many very pretty girls, was not disposed to speculate too much.'' Soon Felicia moves into Kate's house, too, joining Allison and suave, BMW-driving Malcolm, and the mysteries multiply when their hostess introduces obnoxious David, her teenage brother. Thompson leaves puzzles unsolved, concluding his muddled narrative not long after David's grisly and predictable demise. Ages 12-up. (May)