White Rook

Davis's MWA Edgar nominee, The Murder of Frau Schutz , established his fine reputation, and this novel will add to his stature. The action jets off with Pittsburgh private eye Dub Calabrese in New Orleans, working secretly with attorney Honore Devraix, to investigate Eddie Viek, suspected of killing his former business partner. In partnership with Devraix's undercover agent, Vonna Saucier, Dub traces Viek's connection to a hired killer called ``Castle,'' a pseudonym for a member of the rabidly racist American Values Conservatory Nation (AVCN), an army of white supremacists. When Vonna, a black woman, and Dub become lovers, they are aware of their grave danger but persist in efforts to expose the ``patriotic'' murderers. The hair-trigger encounters reach a climax when Dub infiltrates the AVCN mountain fastness in the northwest and fights alone against the entire lunatic army. This is a spellbinding thriller, too close to real subversive threats for comfort. (Jan.)