THE LEOPOLD CONTRACT

Rome is where this is at, buzzing with Chinese and the C.I.A., and where agent Clyde Garson is sent to (a) kill one Leopold who had corrupted his brother and (b) protect a scientist with a new ""magic bullet"" of particular velocity and deadliness. Mr. Wolk's peremptory action story is dedicated to Le Carre, Hemingway, Bogart and Hammett among others, and he's not overreaching himself by too much. It's brash and bright.