Under the Boardwalk

Nicely detailed with police procedures and urban atmosphere, this first novel explores an Atlantic City riddled with drugs and corruption. After heroically saving hundreds of lives by capturing a man threatening to blow up a casino, 52 cop Louis Monroe is promoted from a Boardwalk beat to the vice squad. There he receives advice from a superior officer: ``Learn who to smile the most at. My favorites are people who are richer, smarter and more powerful than I am.'' Among the latter is George Spear, a man of fine reputation (``on top with the mayor, the chief of police, with half the casino execs'')who is involved in a majority of the illegal activities Monroe uncovers. Monroe resolves to expose Spear and his collection of bad cops and manipulative hookers despite warnings from knowledgeable associates. Along the way he finds friendship with fellow vice detective ``Bad Day'' Darrell Prat, and romance with a pregnant ex-prostitute. Readers will be distracted at the finish when the author's obvious plot manipulations resolve the story's conflict too neatly, but it won't diminish enjoyment of a complex read filled with a variety of arresting characters. Mysterious Press Book Club selection. (Nov.)