Murder in May

CENTER OF THE WEB--Katharine Roberts --Crime Club ($2). A Nazi agent, captured on his way to Belgium, yields secrets that enable a British Intelligence officer to penetrate the inner spy circles of Antwerp, where he charms, obfuscates and finally defeats the dreaded Fraulein Doktor. Spy-stuff at its best.

BLACK ORCHIDS--Rex Stout--Farrar & Rinehart ($2). Nero Wolfe and his ebullient amanuensis Archie Goodwin are here at top form in two "novellas" --"Black Orchids" and "Cordially Invited to Meet Death." The first concerns a cleverly contrived murder at New York's annual Flower Show. The second features an adroit bit of poisoning in the fantastic Riverdale menage-- and menagerie--of a successful party-arranger for Manhattan society. First-class entertainment.

WHEN LAST I DIED--Gladys Mitchell --Knopf ($2). This marks the welcome reappearance of Mrs. Adela Bradley, elderly, erudite and sardonic British dabbler in deduction. From an old diary she gets her first clue to a trio of brutal slayings, holds an eerie investigation of a houseful of poltergeists, and finally scotches a cunning criminal. Slow-motion at times, but a treat for connoisseurs.

THE CASE OF THE DROWNING DUCK-- Erle Stanley Gardner--Morrow ($2). Perry Mason, hired to investigate an 18-year-old California murder mystery, saves a likable youngster from the results of his hocus-pocus with detergents, runs a crook to earth, and solves two contemporary poisonings. Enough plot and action for two novels.

BLOOD ON HER SHOE--Medora Field --Macmillan ($2). An ill-advised nocturnal tour of a spooky old Georgia church yard ends with a house-party guest stabbed to death. The well-hidden killer almost eliminates the lively young Georgia girl who tells the story and helps the local police chief unravel the crimes. Constant action, intricate plot and much lively chatter.

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