DEATH UNDER THE LILACS

The Wentworths--Lyon's a children's-books writer, Bea's a Connecticut state senator--are hurtled into their sixth adventure when Bea is captured by an anonymous kidnapper. . . who entombs her and leaves her to die. Thanks to a tiny, enigmatic clue, however, husband Lyon painstakingly, successfully searches for Bea--in the story's most absorbing section by far. And then, with lots of lists and timetables, the Wentworths (aided by police-chief pal Rocco Herbert) set out to identify the kidnapper--narrowing the suspects down to: Bea's longtime political enemy Robert Traxis; real-estate developer Burt Winthrop; and Bates Stockton, an ex-student of Lyon's with a long-standing grudge. A strong start, followed by ever-decreasing drive, suspense, and excitement: all in all--just passably entertaining.