Michael Burke, Swan Dive

Investment company CEO George Fuller hires private investigator Johnny "Blue" Heron to ascertain whether his son Castor is cheating on his fianc e prim and proper Beverly Whitney. Although the case seems odd due to the client's relationship with the target, Blue accepts the job.

Not long after agreeing to investigate, a hulk of a chauffeur invites Blue into a black limo; inside is Beverly's father Douglas who has plans to merge his investment firm with that of George. He offers Blue a bribe to bag the case as he wants their offspring married regardless of what his future son-in-law does or does not re womanizing. Even more bewildered, Blue finds the case goes over the top when he finds Castor's corpse.

With similarity to the Greek mythology Leda and the Swan, SWAN DIVE is an intriguing intelligent contemporary American mystery. The story line is complicated for those unaware of the Greek mythos; which is worth a read before this whodunit. Blue is a solid detective who feels less a heron and more a fish caught by a swan. Fans who know the mythos will relish his inquiry as each lead turns his case upside down; others will wonder about the ties that bind.

Harriet Klausner