Murder Behind Locked Doors — Ellen Godfrey

Deft characterization draws the reader into a cutthroat world of computers, technology, mergers and takeovers in this well-written mystery by the Canadian author ( By Reason of Doubt ). Jane Tregar, a headhunter for Orloff Enterprises, is asked to find a replacement for Gary Levin, vice-president of finance for BTS, a Toronto-based software company in the midst of transition. Levin had been found dead of an apparent heart attack in a locked computer room. Jane has strong reservations: BTS president Brian Taylor seems to be withholding important information, and rumors are flying over the cause of death. She takes on the job, however, because she has not had a big commission and is afraid her boss is looking for an excuse to fire her. While she looks for suitable candidates, she tries to find out what is really going on in BTS's joint-marketing talks with an American company, an effort that has drawn criticism from most of the company's management team. An attempt on Jane's life further fuels her determination to find the truth. Godfrey captures the intensity of modern mega-business and the differences between Canadian and American life, with the latter coming up short. While the vignettes of some of the candidates Jane interviews are wickedly funny, the headhunter's own lack of self-confidence becomes rather tiresome. (September)