PLAY DEAD

Murder and deceit among the rich and famous provide the plot for Coben's first novel--a thriller starring a gorgeous model-turned-businesswoman and a missing pro-basketball star. A 30-year-old murder, described in a brief prologue, sets the stage for the story of Laura Ayars, owner of Svengali Fashions, and David Baskin, star forward of the Boston Celtics. On their secret honeymoon in Australia, David disappears--apparently drowned. Back home in Boston, however, a puzzling burglary, a missing bank account, and strange behavior among her friends and family start Laura wondering whether David's death is what it seemed. Meanwhile, an unknown rookie shows up at the Celtics' tryouts and takes over David's starting position as if he'd played it all his life. And David's estranged brother Start, a misogynistic loser, makes a play for Laura's sister, fresh out of drug rehab. After three more killings, a fair quota of lesser violence, and a whole series of juicy revelations about everyone's past, Laura finally learns the truth behind the whole charade. Despite the improbable plot and the soap-opera characters, Coben keeps the pages turning--a possible surprise contender in this year's summer beach-novel sweepstakes.