Unplayable Lies

Book excerpt: Marrakech is Southern California's newest premier country club and promises a lifetime of privileged membership for those who have reached the pinnacle of financial and social acceptance. Four golfing friends-Wolfgang Martini, Donald Diedrich, Mark Huntington, and Richard Nelson-decide to join. But they soon discover that the membership also includes con men, lechers, Mafiosi, and at least one murderer. After they become members, all four men suddenly take on roles that threaten their friendship. Martini becomes the leader of the Founding Members who are embroiled in a divisive feud with the Regular members. Nelson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who sarcastically documents Marrakech's hedonism. Diedrich takes on the dual role as the club's Don Juan and proponent for the Juanenos Indian tribe, who claim the club has usurped their land, which they need for casino development. But it's mysterious Mark Huntington who raises suspicions-he's either a government agent or a hit man. When the bodies of members start to pile up, it's anybody's guess who is responsible. Is it a member of the Mafia, someone from the Indian tribe, or one of the friends themselves?