Party Till You Die

Lawyer, comedian and juggler Charnee calls upon his own talents to fashion an unusual detecting duo in his first novel, but stilted writing may blunt readers' enjoyment. Juggler Pat Arnold teams up with lawyer/magician D. L. Blacker to solve the murder of Gary Johnson, Arnold's agent and Blacker's client, stabbed with Arnold's juggling machete at a corporate party. Several people had motives and opportunities for the killing. As Arnold digs up facts, the attorney talks to the suspects, but when Johnson's brother is murdered and his widow's property burglarized, Arnold and Blacker realize that they must rush their investigation to prevent more mayhem. Although the premise is intriguing, Blacker's predilection for courtroom-style oratory makes much of the explanation heavy going. (Oct.)