Fatal Ambition

Marred by occasional melodramatic lapses, this chilling book focuses on three unnatural deaths in the Boston area during the 1970s and on the man freelance journalist Sonzski portrays as responsible for them, James Blaikie. In 1973, Blaikie's 64-year-old mother was found shot behind the ear. Near her were a suicide note and a revolver with an ``abnormally hard'' trigger pull. Authorities ruled the wound self-inflicted. The inheritance from his mother offered only a brief respite to Blaikie, who was living well beyond his means. In fact, insurance agent Ed Bacon wanted to cut Blaikie out of their business. Then Bacon was found in his office, poisoned, a suicide note nearby. Again, authorities ruled the death a suicide. Again, Blaikie profited: days before the death, he was named sole beneficiary of an insurance policy originally purchased to benefit Bacon's family. Bacon's brother contested the insurance award, and Blaikie, strapped for cash, borrowed money from a friend, David DeWilde, who subsequently disappeared. DeWilde's remains were found buried in Blaikie's basement; it is this third murder for which Blaikie was finally convicted. (Sept.)