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A Common Loss
by Kirsten Tranter
HarperCollins, $40

There are strong echoes of Stephen King's Stand By Me in this second novel by Sydney-based Tranter. Five close friends who were all in college together make an annual trip to Las Vegas - a buddy reunion, as it were.

Of the five, Dylan was the undisputed leader and fix-it man - taking the rap for other's misdemeanours, helping them out when they were in trouble. When he is killed, the remaining four still make the Vegas pilgrimage even though there is a common realisation that they have drifted apart somewhat, with divergent interests.

Then they discover that Dylan kept a record of his favours and problem-solving, and a younger brother appears on the scene. Has he blackmail in mind? The novel starts promisingly but tends to fade toward the finish, with too much waffle and no proper finale.