In the Deep Woods

Publishers Weekly The title tells where a serial killer has left the bodies of the nearly 40 young women he violated, mutilated and murdered. A recent victim was the best friend of children's author Carol Warren. At the funeral, Carol, who has recently broken up with her boyfriend over his interest in bondage, meets Eric Gaines, a N.Y. detective assigned to the case. A little later, she is approached by Paul Miller, who tells her he's a private eye hired by another victim's family. Carol discovers that Paul is lying and becomes understandably worried when she realizes he is tailing her. Meanwhile, she has also begun to date Frank Matheson, an employee of her brother, a successful entrepreneur. While it's quickly clear that each new man and the familiar ones in Carol's life could be the killer, Conde ( The Religion ) spices up the plot by having Paul tell Carol her brother is a suspect. The way suspicion erodes relationships is the most convincing aspect of this chiller. 30,000 first printing; movie rights to Columbia Pictures; Doubleday Book Club selection.