Death of a Salesperson

by Robert Barnard

Cosmopolitan wit and sheer inventiveness mark the novels of this British author ( Death and the Chaste Apprentice ). He also excels at the short story, as demonstrated in this first collection of 15 tales that serve up grisly fun as well as sobering tragedy. In the title story, Davina, a sweet, maidenly woman, is scorned by the ''Originals,'' a group of relentlessly noncomformist types, including clever Mike. Soon Mike stuns his fellow rebels by announcing his engagement to Davina, thus inadvert