Angels in Arms

Amateur British sleuth Fitzroy (Fitz) Angel makes his American debut in this hip and likable yarn. A cabbie and part-time musician, Angel responds to a cry for help phoned in by his best friend, roadie Francis (Werewolf) Dromey, who has fallen afoul of a Breton ``liberation group'' by smashing up and losing possession of a truck in which they had hidden a shipment of drugs without the Werewolf's knowledge. Warned that the group will kill his friend if he doesn't find and return the drugs, Angel sets off, aided by his exotic former girlfriend, Lucinda (Lu Lu) Luger, who at 64 towers over the members of the heavy-metal band she manages, and by Werewolf's brother, Gearoid, a beekeeping monk. They find the drugs, which turn out to be Ecstasy tablets, but discover that the original Dutch dealer is also after the shipment. In another twist, the kidnappers tell Angel he will have to smuggle the drugs back to Britanny before they release Werewolf. Gearoid comes up with an ingenious hiding place that enables the team to transport the tablets across the Channel, but working out the trade proves far more dangerous, as neither the French nor the Dutch players plan to take any prisoners. A battle of wits and bullets provides a very lively resolution. (June)