The Final Glass

Thriller enthusiasts might want to pull out their stopwatches and time how quickly they turn the pages of this breathless tale about the machinations of the Provos, the militant faction of the Irish Republican Army, and the counteroffensives launched by the Provos' targets. Avoiding discussions of the political issues involved here, Britisher Henderson ( Major Enquiry ) concentrates on the opponents' strategies and tactics. The London police undertake a rigorous investigation when a double-decker bus is blown up with IRA explosives; the IRA leaders, meanwhile, know nothing about the incident but commence their own inquiry because they suspect the presence of a double agent. As he unfolds the plot, Henderson flits among apparently unrelated but dramatic sequences that involve a large cast. Whatever confusion ensues is amply offset by the suspense in each subplot and by the dynamism of the characters, none of whom are easily pegged as hero or villain. As the net of intrigue and betrayal widens to take in each set of characters, the swift but sure pacing steadily intensifies to captivate the reader as well. 35,000 first printing. (Nov.)