DEAREST ENEMY

Barrister Antony Maitland's actress friend Meg Hamilton is starring in a new play--with Leonard and Victoria Buckly (the theater's veteran ""Perfect Couple"") in supporting roles. But when Victoria is stabbed to death during a blackout on stage, her husband is charged with murder (the offstage marriage was rotten)--and Meg persuades Maitland to defend Leonard. So Maitland investigates, turning up some unsavory aspects of Victoria's life (an unacknowledged son, a penchant for blackmail). And the courtroom denouement involves some painstaking work with timing and tight cross-examination of an eyewitness to the fatal performance: none other than Detective Chief Superintendent Briggs, Maitland's longtime enemy. Lots of dull interviews with cast members, lots of un-sparkling conversations with Maitland's family crew--but the courtroom stuff is classy, and Woods' regulars won't be disappointed.