After four years, married Hollywood mega-stars Kenzie Scott and Raine Marlowe are on the verge of divorce. Despite the collapse of their marriage, Raine desperately needs her husbands help.

After writing the script, Raine wants to direct her first movie titled The Centurion. In order to get a producer and funding, Raine needs to convince Kenzie to star in this dark and emotionally driven piece. To Raines surprise, Kenzie takes the role without even reading the material.

Kenzie, however, is horrified once he discovers the plot. There is no way he can act in this movie without dredging up horrific images from his past. But he wont break his word, so he is trapped. Will he be able to hold onto his composure and sanity?

Raine quickly begins to realize that Kenzie was not kidding when he said he would have problems with this role. So much is riding on this movie, but is it worth conjuring up the dark secrets that are torturing Kenzie? The relentless digging of a tabloid reporter is only making the situation more volatile. Raine may be faced with the choice of saving her movie or her soon-to-be ex-husband.

THE SPIRAL PATH is one of the most gripping and darkly emotional books to come along in a long while. As an author Mary Jo Putney never shies away from tackling the bleak and ugly elements of human behavior. Nevertheless, her books hold out such promise of hope, redemption and triumph that you will be unable to put them down. (Jan., 368 pp., $7.50)

—Jill M. Smith