One Hand Clapping

It's not every working-class girl in North Bradcaster who can boast a husband with a "photographic brain" - a freakish endowment that wins the modest used-car salesman and his wife an easy fortune on England's most popular high-stakes TV quiz show. Recklessly, the Shirleys revel in new-found affluence, and loquacious Janet obligingly provides details of first-class travel, luxury hotels, mink coats, some misguided philanthropy, a dash of adultery, and - ultimately, outrageously, hilariously - not entirely accidental death. From the author of "Clockwork Orange." 216p.