Deathbed

Since his debut in Kienzle's The Rosary Murders, Father Koesler of Detroit has been a favorite amateur sleuth. The priest's eighth criminal encounter occurs while he's acting chaplain at an inner-city Catholic hospital. Defying efforts to close the haven for the poor, its chief, Sister Eileen, fights rising costs and enemies on the staff. Tricks by a feckless arch-conservative fail to daunt the nun, such ploys causing only temporary confusion. But Koesler senses the minatory aura, very different from foolishness, which he interprets as a determination to kill Sister Eileen. He's right, although unable to change events set in motion by a malcontent who strikes suddenly. The realistic setting, discussions of theology and humanism add to the appeal in the author's new urbane, witty mystery. 35,000 first printing; $35,000 ad/promo budget; Mystery Guild selection. (April 14)