His Warranty Expired When He Did

Those who finish this slight mystery set in St. Margaret's, Calif., the first in a new series, will understand why the writer, billed as "an established author who has written more than thirty-five books," chooses to use a pseudonym. The police regard Lexington Concord Bissle VI, a sculptor, as the prime suspect in the shooting death of his neighbor, Fred Moggar, since Con filed a lawsuit against Moggar over the incessant barking of Moggar's dog. Aided by his assistant, Sindy Duguid, Con turns amateur sleuth to clear his name. The jokey narration alternates between Con and Sindy, as Con attempts to ascertain which of the women in Moggar's life might have had motive, means and opportunity. The lame humor matches the unengaging detective work. (Dec.)