cover image St. John's Baptism: A Detective Novel

St. John's Baptism: A Detective Novel

William Babula. L. Stuart, $16.95 (258pp) ISBN 978-0-8184-0461-0

Jeremiah St. John is a former assistant D.A. in San Francisco whose disillusionment with the bureaucracy has led him to set up practice as a private investigator. Armed with good humor and an unhurried sense of adventure, he and his assistantsMickey, a former police officer fired for appearing in a Playboy feature on women in uniform, and an Indian named Chief Mosespursue the murderer of the city's sleaziest and most successful criminal lawyer. While the police are eager to blame a Colombian drug dealer who has left the country, St. John turns up plenty of additional suspects, including the victim's ex-wife, his teenaged son and his law partner. Obstructed at every turn, St. John finally uncovers a blackmailing operation reaching deep into the criminal justice system. Although the plot is without surprise and some supporting characters are less than convincing, St. John's easygoing manner offers considerable satisfaction. This is pleasantly diverting entertainment. (June)