From all appearances, Diane Boston is a not-untypical suburban mother except, of course, that she's an indisputably gorgeous blond. Oh, she has her individual problems and traits all right. Her 13-year old son David suffers from Marfan syndrome for one. She's also a social studies and judo teacher at the high school and so great a communicator with the kids that she's been voted Teacher of the Year.

But, then, there are the secret things in her life, which might be the tip of a surprisingly sordid iceberg. Why, for instance is pawn shop owner Moses Rabinowitz so anxious to reopen his shop to her when it's all but closed? Where did she get the diamonds he's been fencing for her? Why is she using the money to keep her sister on life support through a 25-year coma? And why, when she's packing up to move to a new apartment after a divorce does one box contain old, saved newspapers blaring out headlines like, GANGLAND MURDERS AT PORNO WAREHOUSE!!?

Which is only James Bond novelist Raymond Benson's beginning. When an ancient porno tape shows up with a blond in the lead role who looks very much like a young Diane, there could be more than just a relocation in store for the demure teacher and son. Her protests that the girl in the tape is her twin sister doesn't cut it with the school board. And, oh, is her ex-husband Greg having a field day over the scandal.

Benson steadily winds us up in buried secrets, questionable identities, and multiple murders. His character-based thriller sustains momentum without a wasted wound all the way to a wrenching, twisty finish.