DESIRE TO KILL

Digby Hall, a serene, expensive retirement home, is hit by a wave of murders soon after the arrival of self-centered widow Amy Langford--a semi-psychotic sort who's determined to punish her fellow residents (because they remain politely indifferent to Amy's superficial charm and social status). Gentle, arthritic Mrs. Graham is the first to go--in a death contrived to pass as natural. Next: deaf, still-handsome Clement Horder, who's especially vulnerable to Amy because she resembles his late, beloved wife. But, though Clement's car-""accident"" nearly kills Amy as well (the perfect alibi), the two remaining residents--Dr. George Cunningham and Nancy Pick --are nevertheless suspicious. And, together with the young marrieds who run the home, the oldsters fight back--with melodramatic, ironic results. Despite the overfamiliar basic plot: solid chills, well-drawn minor characters, a nice autumnal romance (George and Nancy)--and Clarke's best work yet in a contemporary setting.