The Soul of Betty Fairchild

The focal crime in Specht's mildly diverting mystery thriller occurred 24 years ago in South Carolina, where Betty Fairchild, young, beautiful and rich, was brutally hacked to death. In present-day New York City, young and beautiful copywriter Drew Summers bears an uncanny resemblance to Betty. Drew is suddenly beset by blackouts during which she speaks with a Southern accent and seems possessed. Does she need a psychiatrist? An exorcist? Or is this a scam she's put together to get money from Betty's wealthy family? Drew travels to Betty's hometown, where Specht ( Tisha ) introduces a community of cliched, Southern gothic characters: a mean-spirited police chief; an exploitative reporter; Betty's powerful uncle Ray, who owns the town; and the family of the black man suspected of killing Betty. A host of ingenious but unconvincing plot twists rounds out the middling tale. (June)