Farewell Gesture

In his latest intricate and gripping mystery, the British author of more than 20 suspense novels ( By Death Possessed ) couples an artfully convoluted plot with subtle development of his characters' personalities. Paul Manson has spent four years in prison for the death of his father, whom he accidentally strangled while breaking up an argument between his parents. On his release, he tries to save a life by warning Philomena Wise that an inmate wants her dead. After Manson and Wise become romantically involved, he hears that she has been murdered. But the body isn't hers. Held as a murder suspect, Manson enlists the real Wise's ex-boyfriend in gathering information about the trial of a cop-killer in which Wise perjured herself to get the wrong man--the inmate--convicted. Then the woman Manson knew as Wise, in truth a police detective, is found dead, and again Manson must prove his own innocence, using police and criminal sources. Summoning intelligence, emotional resources and street-smarts, he proves more skillful than a carload of police at linking past and present crimes. And in the process, Manson's gradual acceptance of his past brings confidence and renewed hope for his future. (Jan.)