Murder Takes Two

Scurrilous dealings in the advertising business lead to murder in the latest appearance of Oregon's freelance advertising writer Tony Pratt and his wife, Pat. The Pratts fly to London to record a series of commercials for Chicago- based Thomas Baking Company. Conflict rages as Chet Norris, the bread company's on-the-take marketing director, infuriates all the other principals--Gary Bonham, owner of the ad agency Norris is squeezing; professional voice Paul Taylor, whose diminutive size Norris derides; and advertising manager Deb Thomas, due to inherit her family's bread company, whom Norris moves in on. After announcing he has evidence of Norris's wrongdoing, Bonham is found dead in the recording studio, and although Norris's subsequent death in a traffic accident clears the case as far as London police are concerned, Tony believes a murderer still walks. Despite some colorful writing about media life and lyric descriptions of the Oregon coast, Lee's ( Murder Without Reservation ) mystery has a stodgy air, especially as its element of suspense is lost about halfway through. (May)