Of this month's twelve, four stood out as best bets:
DEATH IN FIVE BOXESCarter Dickson Morrow ($2). Grumpy, engaging Sir Henry Merrivale solves a labyrinthine puzzle involving poisoning and a stabbing. Ingenuity and humor offset a tricky, confused plot and far-fetched solution.
MURDER À LA STROGANOFFCaryl Brahms & S. J. SimonCrime Club ($2). Further bizarre caperings among the Russian troupe who survived A Bullet in the Ballet. While embellished by such trimmings as Wodehouse dialogue, the plot is sufficiently mystifying to satisfy addicts who like them straight.
THE CASE OF THE SHOPLIFTER'S SHOE...