From Publishers Weekly
These five imaginative novellas (two not previously published) starring those mellow and affectionate retirees, arson investigator Charlie Meiklejohn and psychologist Constance Leidl, prove this husband-and-wife team's skills haven't rusted at all. Introduced in The Hamlet Trap (1987) and stars of five novels, the couple, who live in the country 200 miles from New York, offer Wilhelm the opportunity to demonstrate her talent in both the SF and mystery genres. Two of these stories originally appeared in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine: "With Thimbles, with Forks, and Hope" finds Charlie and Constance outwitting an otherworldly force; in "The Gorgon Field," a Mexican shaman seems to be controlling the mind of an 80-year-old tycoon. Seen here for the first time, "Torch Song" is a devilishly twisty story in which a paroled arsonist sent to prison 13 years ago by Charlie seems to be bent on framing him for a series of recent fires. Like her sleuthing, witty pair, the prolific Wilhelm shows no signs of a flagging imagination.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
After writing more than 30 mysteries and science fiction novels, Wilhelm knows what readers like. Witness her popular stories featuring the unusual husband-and-wife detecting duo of Constance Leidl, a psychologist-author, and Charlie Meiklejohn, a retired arson investigator. Her latest book is a collection of five Constance and Charlie novellas, some previously published, some completely new. In the tradition of Nick and Nora Charles, Constance and Charlie lead a comfortable life, interrupted only by the odd case that comes their way now and again--and the cases
are odd, most of them featuring some dark psychological trappings that lend an eerie, otherworldly ambience. Included in the book are a bizarre story about a woman who uses her mind to guide humans into dangerous and deathly situations; a tragic, spooky tale about a young mind reader with a Bible-thumping evangelist as a mentor; and the saga of a sadly misguided arsonist who can't be stopped, even by Constance and Charlie. A provocative and riveting set of stories that belongs in all good mystery collections.
Emily Melton
