Death Wears a Beauty Mask and Other Stories

MWA Grand Master Clark assembles a selection of nine previously published tales, including her first published story (1958's "Stowaway") and one long original tale%E2%80%94begun in 1972 but only finished recently%E2%80%94that lends its name to the volume. Blending Clark's trademark mystery, suspense, and romance, "Death Wears a Beauty Mask" focuses on famous model Alexandra Saunders. When Alexandra disappears, her lookalike sister, Janice, and Janice's new husband, Michael Broad, try to find her. Since three sinister men are also on Alexandra's trail and one is a killer, Janice and Michael must get to her first. Clark's sleuths range from lottery-rich oldsters Alvirah and Willy Meehan in "The Cape Cod Masquerade" to former U.S. president Henry Parker Britland IV and his wife, Sandra, who use his still potent influence to rescue his former secretary of state, Thomas Shipman, from a murder charge in "Definitely, A Crime of Passion." This collection nicely illustrates Clark's range and superlative storytelling talent. (Apr.)