The Mountain Massacres: A Bomber Hanson Mystery

Young, likable lawyer Tod Hanson, a musician at heart who stutters only around his famous father and boss, trial attorney Bomber Hanson, narrates this sketchy series debut. Bomber agrees to defend Bart O'Neil, hippie-mountain man accused of killing the neighbor who shot his dogs. In his role as investigator, skeptical Tod visits the central California coastal mountain community where the murder occurred. In addition to an odd assortment of hippies who seem all to be related by marriage and divorces, he meets their new neighbor, who is rich enough to build an expensive home behind an electronic gate, and uncovers a long-standing feud over rights to a well. Tod's probing paints a grim picture of Bart's prospects, although Bomber seems pleased with his son's progress. Sensitive and amusing father-son interplay is stronger than Champion's thin plot, wrapped up here in a final courtroom scene. (June)