Handsome, smart, Harvard-educated Scott Thomas makes the mistake of picking up two hitchhikers who then hijack his car at the start of this compelling mystery thriller from Stewart (A Clean Kill
). Soon after, Thomas is rescued by Cannonball Walker, a mysterious and weathered African-American bluesman driving an ancient black Cadillac, and embarks on a journey that may destroy his life. Recently trained as a clinical psychologist, Thomas appears to have the "perfect life," but he falls prey to a complicated and impenetrable plot to frame him for the murder of Patricia Hunter, a high-profile socialite in his care at Boston Hospital. Evidence of Thomas's guilt is everywhere, and with the police on the prowl and a stranger following him, Thomas must discover who he can and cannot trust while trying to clear his name. By teaming with Walker and a spunky information technician at the hospital, he plunges into the underworld of computer hackers and his own dark past. Laced with page-turning tension and memorable scenes that are as poignant as they are vital, the book also follows numerous subplots that prove to be equally intriguing. Rich details and smart use of dialogue help make this a near-perfect ride. Agent, Sally McMillan. (Jan.)
