THE CASHMERE KID

The hardcover introduction to a plucky 70-ish Vermont widow, Tish McWhinny; her pug Lulu; and her honorary niece Sophie, who's just purchased some ramshackle acreage—``Goat Heaven''— as well as a seven-thousand-dollar cashmere buck (``William the Conqueror''). Someone then kidnaps the buck, whose disappearance coincides with the murder of Sophie's neighbor, Stu Simpson. Tish, aided and abetted by her good chum Hil, a crusty, 80-year-old widower, and Sophie's brother Sandy, is soon up to her arthritic knees in suspects—and trouble: her path collides with toxic-waste dumpers, a goat-lift scam artist, nude frolickers in the barn, panners for gold, as well as the murderer, who will kill again before Tish explains all to everyone's (but the reader's) satisfaction. Animal lovers will probably adore it, and Tish, who's survived four previous paperback adventures, makes a likable heroine— despite serious plot deficiencies.