Neon Flamingo

Ace crime reporter Palmer Kingston of the Marlinsport (Fla.) Tribune knows that hard-charging Alice Jane Egan of the New Seville Times is tough competition the moment he lays eyes on her. Then retired police captain Haskins Delano is slashed to death, apparently by a knife-wielding maniac, and the two newshounds rush down the investigative trail. Along the way somebody plants a bomb in Alice's car and an old kidnapping case from Palmer's cub reporting days resurfaces. Meanwhile, the intrepid journalist falls in love. The authors, both journalists themselves, have produced a fine example of hardboiled detective fiction, with tough-talking, cynical reporters instead of tough-talking, cynical detectives unraveling the crimes. Although somewhat too spare and streamlined, the action builds to a rousing climax. Detective Book Club selection. (October)