Process of Elimination

Bradley (Handbook to Practical Disaster Preparedness for the Family) positions his uneven first novel squarely in the micro-genre of martial arts action thrillers. PI Adam Reece, a part-time martial arts instructor, gets a call for help from his older brother, Elliot, who's distraught because his high-class hooker mistress, Maria Sativa, has disappeared. Maria's sister, the stunning Lara, joins the two brothers in the search for Maria, who appears to have fallen afoul of persons unknown after stealing a mysterious map. The three of them go on an extended road trip to Vegas and D.C., where they end up trying to foil several political assassinations. Exciting fight scenes make up only in part for a serviceable plot and amateurish prose. Only those seriously interested in martial arts will find this a welcome addition to their bookshelf. (Sept.)