THE FLIP SIDE OF LIFE

N.Y.: Putnam, 1990. 1st ed. with complete number line beginning with 1. Neat remainder mark "P" at bottom of page edges else Near fine in dust jacket with protective mylar cover. "Martin's sequel to The Mercy Trap should attract more fans to private eye Gil Disbro of Cleveland, Ohio; Disbro is a tough but good-hearted fighter for justice, here on a twisted narrative path leading toward missing professor Alan Gault and his young son, Brandon. The detective meets Alan's sexy sister-in-law, Arlene Hammond, who reveals that a custody battle over Brandon broke out after his mother ostensibly committed suicide. Religious fanatics, the elder Hammonds had disowned their daughters as morally corrupt and declared Alan unfit to bring up his own son. Having hired a kidnapper to spirit away the child, the grandparents keep him a virtual prisoner--but Disbro catches up with them. Alan, however, has already rescued Brandon, leaving the detective to solve crimes tangentially connected with the case: the murder of the abductor enlisted by the Hammonds and another killing as well. This is a gritty, engrossing, unusual mystery." -- Publishers Weekly. First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Near Fine. Remainder.