THE SHAPE OF DREAD

by Marcia Muller ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 4, 1989

Once again, San Francisco detective Sharon McCone (The Cheshire Cat's Eye, etc.) is faced with what seems an impossible mission--to find what really happened to up-and-coming comedienne Tracy Kostakos, for whose murder young, black Bobby Foster awaits execution. Tracy's body was never found; Foster's lawyer is convinced of his innocence--despite a confession--and so is Sharon as she digs into the events of two years ago. Tracy, daughter of university professors Laura and George, now separated, seemed a model of probity and purpose. But Sharon soon discovers that she was an unscrupulous user of the people in her life--Cafe Comedie owner Jay Larkey; lesbian waitress Lisa McIntyre, who vanished soon after Tracy's disappearance; ambitious comic Marc Emmons; and Foster, then a car valet at the club. Tracy slept with all of them--grist to her act--but seemed to be troubled by some other mysterious transgression just before the fateful night. Within days, Sharon has uncovered evidence that seems to clear Foster and has found a body--Tracy? Lisa?--at the remote shack owned by Tracy's roommate Amy Barbour, who's now living with Emmons. Too many wheels-within-wheels confuse and diffuse this story's impact after a gripping start. Sharon's unconvincing affair with George Kostakos and a melodramatic, tangled finish don't help. Overall, then, more than readable but just average for the often superior Muller.

Pub Date: Dec. 4, 1989

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Mysterious Press--dist. by Ballantine

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1989

Categories: FICTION