Peyton Amberg , by Tama Janowitz. St. Martin's Press, 335 pages, $24.95.

Trashy books fall into two basic categories: first, those bodice-rippers with puffed fuschia-lamé lettering and "sizzling!" blurbs by daytime-soap stars. This group includes Jackie Collins, Sidney Sheldon and Judith Krantz-authors who know exactly what they do and love it, and drive red convertibles Read More