Summer's Lease

John Clifford Mortimer, Author Penguin Books $7.95 (288p) ISBN 978-0-14-010573-5

Bossily capable Molly Pargeter--devoted to Italian Renaissance art and amateur sleuthing--drags her reluctant family to a Tuscan villa. ``Although the momentum falters slightly midway, Mortimer's seemingly effortless command of his craft makes this combination of well-plotted mystery and lightly barbed comedy a compelling pleasure,'' concluded PW. (July)

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