SOFT IN THE MIDDLE

The title is far from unintentional -- in fact this deals as extensively with the uncertain puissance of Dove, a mystery writer, as it does with his presumptive investigation of the death of his friend Kelly who in turn had been involved with Philomele, unofficial wife of the man at the head of AMEN, (they build nuclear ships). Dove is in and out of trouble (you lose count of the times they try to kill him) and Philomele and assorted black flytraps (often crawling -- literally) -- and along with ail the expensive accessories -- leather and Pouilly-Fume -- there's a lot of hoky sex and violence incarnate. One dimly remembers another thriller-writer who, had he lived, would have learned that diamonds just aren't forever.