Hooligan

Authentic London atmosphere permeates this otherwise drab suspense novel, the fifth by its British author and the first published here. Its hero, Joe Hussy, is a grumpy retired spy for the British government who lives a relatively quiet suburban life. Approached for help by the pompous head of a boys' school whose renegade brother has become entangled in a network of terrorists and would-be revolutionaries, Hussy begins to probe the disappearance. His natural antipathy to his old boss, who warns him away from the investigation, piques his interest further. Spewing a near-constant stream of wisecracks and put-downs, Hussy comes off as more cranky than witty, and readers who follow his escapades through Dunne's murky plot aren't likely to find him particularly fresh or engaging company. With its workmanlike writing and derivative main character, this effort sparks very little excitement. (Dec.)