Snowshot

The author of White Water VI offers this competent, moderately exciting mystery about a cabal of financiers gathered to mix skiing and business sessions at a mountain resort. Sheriff Pete McPhee and his deputies beef up security at the place but someone shoots Ben Macklin, a defense contractor, on the slopes. There are other murder victims among the guests, who include oily U.S. Senator Easton, Macklin's widow and her guest, General Riley Curtis, retired. McPhee, the Cherokee officer Billy Birdsong and Deputy Lucas concentrate on finding the killer but are hampered (predictably) by interference from forces bent on a cover-up of shady government deals. Despite his use of an obvious red herring to rev up the suspense, McBriarty nevertheless shows promise and seems likely to invent more satifying thrillers in the future. (Jan.)