The Man Who Never Returned, Quinn - B-

                                               The 'Man' in the title is Judge Joseph F. Crater, whose 1930 disappearance has been part of New York City's lore ever since.  Quinn's fascination with the topic is traced to his dad having been a Crater student in law school, and later a judge assigned to the same chambers as Crater.  The author has fun playing with the facts and possibilities of the case, but, as in his book I commented on in February, the story really is about Quinn's favorite character, the city of New York.  He is an artful master of portraying the smell, touch and feel of the streets, neighborhoods, hotels and speakeasies of the metropolis.  He paints the picture as well as anyone and any lover of the city would enjoy his work.