The Pariah

Austin Holloway is a TV evangelist with a crystal cathedral, a huge national following and major political ambitions. His family, appearing weekly on The Hour, includes an alcoholic wife and Elton, their psychotic son. In San Francisco, Holloway's plans to put a man of God in the White House begin to unravel when Elton becomes prime suspect in a series of prostitute killings. Attempting to penetrate the Holloway defense without jeopardizing the case, homicide detective Frank Hastings soon understands that speed is as essential as caution. Elton, killing to combat sin, threatens figures of prominence as well as anonymous women of the street; the San Francisco Police aren't the only ones who want him stopped. The question in Wilcox's 25th novel is never ""whodunit?'' but who will get to Elton first, and that provides an interesting angle on this politically timely procedural, with its satisfying and appropriately retributive conclusion. (April)