The Kennedy Connection: A Gil Malloy Novel

An investigative journalist seeks redemption in this pat first in a new crime series from Belsky (Loverboy). Gil Malloy, once a high-flyer for New York City’s Daily News, has been relegated to minor assignments after he was unable to verify the existence of his main source for a series on prostitution. Malloy hopes to find the story that will bring him back to his former glory when he learns that Lee Harvey Oswald’s previously unknown son is peddling a book providing proof that Oswald didn’t shoot President Kennedy. Meanwhile, a serial killer in Manhattan is leaving a Kennedy half-dollar near the body of each victim. Malloy manages to get a piece of the reporting action, and even persuades his bosses to send him to Dallas, where he hopes to solve the mystery of 11/22/63. Sloppy details (e.g., Abraham Zapruder anachronistically films the J.F.K. assassination with a video camera) distract, but the bigger minus is an unsurprising story arc. Agent: Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhill Associates. (Aug.)