Guilt on the Lily

A versatile, prolific British author, Ormerod here offers a complex sequel to Face Value , which ended with the retirement of Inspector Richard Patton from the force where he had made many enemies. Now ensconced with wife Amelia in Boreton-Upon-Severn, the detective receives a long-delayed letter compelling his return to his former hometown. Linda Court, Patton learns, has been murdered after writing him for help--and the case was never solved. Although Donaldson, the new chief inspector, warns Patton against interfering, he persists, alienating even once-friendly colleagues. The trail leads him to question Gail Martin, an actress who had lost a role to Linda, a director and others who confirm Gail's presence in the theater at the time of Linda's death. When the deective in charge of the investigation is murdered, Patton further defies Donaldson, ultimately triumphing with an astonishing answer to questions of murderer and method. As always, Ormerod's ingenuity is no less stunning than his detectives'. (Jan.)