Virtues in Verse: The Best of Berton Braley

Merritt Fury, an American entrepreneur in Hong Kong, is the star of Cline's ( First Prize ) high-finance thriller, which promises more than it delivers. Cold War politics, the soaring price of tungsten and dead bodies floating in the harbor propel the plot as Fury opposes Sir Harry Brisco and See Pok, his partners at Bluelist Tungsten Trading, in their plan to corner the world market for the metallic element. Fury enlists Amber Lee, a mole in Sir Harry's organization, to expose the two wheeler-dealers, who are backed by the Chinese government and some well-placed British financiers. Like James Bond, Fury proves indestructible; and like 007 and his partners, he and Amber Lee are drawn together in romance. Although its dialogue is often stilted and its action predictable, Cline's tale earns a passing grade as escapist entertainment. (Aug.)