Dead Deceiver

In chapter two of Houston's lame 11th Loon Lake mystery (after 2009's Dead Renegade), an emergency call interrupts the romantic dinner Paul Osborne, a retired dentist turned forensic consultant, is sharing with Lewellyn "Lew" Ferris, the Loon Lake, Wis., police chief. Rob Beltner's wife, Kathy, has failed to come home after a late afternoon walk in the snow. Within hours, Lew finds Kathy's corpse under a bridge, her face almost destroyed by a gunshot. Chapter one, which describes the killing, doesn't reveal the gunman's identity, but readers will be able eliminate certain suspects such as the grieving husband right off the bat. The murder inquiry takes a backseat for much of the book to a less than gripping subplot, Lew and Paul's search for the mysterious intruder who's apparently stalking Patience Schumacher, the president of a small local college. Diehard series fans may enjoy the ride, but newcomers are advised to start with earlier, better entries. (Feb.)