Things Invisible

One of the most refreshing additions to the ranks of hardboiled detectives, Nebraska is a quick-witted, Chandleresque PI and part-time freelance writer, who eschews revealing his first name. The fourth adventure featuring this offbeat womanizer is an engrossing, well-crafted story with many bizarre twists. Hired by Donna Berens to locate her missing daughter, the Omaha-based gumshoe soon discovers that Meredith, a copywriter, compartmentalized her life and was not what she appeared to be. Her boss, Dianna Castelli, reveals that Meredith has a fiancee, real-estate magnate Thomas Wayne, the pawn of his father's political aspirations; Thomas denies the engagement, however. When Meredith is found murdered, Nebraska believes the Waynes are the only logical suspects. Then Dianna suddenly remembers a rumor that Thomas's high school girlfriend was killed, too. In hopes of learning more about the incident, Nebraska follows a cold trail that takes him to Sioux Falls, S.D., and almost to his death. This classic-style mystery is top-notch entertainment. (May)