A DEATH FOR ADONIS

by E. X. Giroux ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 5, 1984

A competent, tidily plotted debut for 30-ish Robert Forsythe--a chivalrous lawyer/sleuth who has barred himself from legal practice for what he considers reasons of honor. Forsythe's initial case: he's asked by Elizabeth C. Pennell to re-investigate the grisly, 25-year-old murder of David Mersey--a crime for which Elizabeth's father (famed sculptor Sebastian Calvert) was convicted, spending the catatonic years since in a prison hospital. So Forsythe sets out with tape records and staunch secretary Miss Sanderson to interview survivors connected with the tragedy at the Calvert country house. Among those originally involved: Sebastian's sister Melissa; his young niece Rosemary, with future husband John Homer; Sebastian's estranged second wife Vanessa, with her cousin-companion Elinor (the latter now dead); and, of course, victim David--Sebastian's lover and model for his masterwork, ""Adonis."" Finally, then, there's a reunion/confrontation for the old/new suspects and sleuth Forsythe. . . after which, thanks in part to an ironic finale, he decides to fight to restore his (above-mentioned) unfairly tainted honor. Stiff and melodramatic in spots, but sturdy and smooth overall.

Pub Date: April 5, 1984

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1984

Categories: FICTION