cover image FINAL CUT

FINAL CUT

Billie Sue Mosiman, . . Five Star, $24.95 (300pp) ISBN 978-0-7862-4175-0

Tepid is the word for this episodic, Diabolique-like terror tale of a Hollywood agent bedeviled by a mysterious maniac from psychological thriller author and Edgar nominee Mosiman (Wireman). Viewpoints alternate from chapter to chapter until the main character, Karl LaRosa, becomes virtually incidental to the plot. A publicity agent who promotes the careers of young stars, LaRosa has a house in Malibu, a Jaguar and a roster of beautiful girlfriends, one of whom just may be trying to ruin, if not kill, him for some past transgression. Somebody at any rate almost drives his car off the freeway, and later trashes his office and then his home. Clients start to quit because of his increasingly unsavory reputation. Unbeknownst to LaRosa, all the bad stuff that's happening to him is part of the script of a new film, Pure and Uncut, in which his nemesis apparently has a role. Directing Pure and Uncut is two-time Academy Award winner "Cam" Hill, whose obsession with completing the movie overrides all other considerations, including the discovery of a human head. The filmmaking subplot, replete with Hollywood business, dilutes the suspense. The anonymous potential killer (aka "The Body") provides a chilling third point of view, even if the fiend's motives are never clear. In the end, competently drawn characters, realistic film scenes and a brisk pace can't make up for the lack of a strong central focus. (July)