THE BROWSER

''The approach to Northampton put Samantha Flint in mind of every other American mill town: pool halls and tire yards, laundromats abandoned by day, brown bags disguising empties left on the asphalt, Eagles, Kiwanis, and Lions, a burger-and-shake joint with rusted muscle cars revving in the parking lot, a defunct bowling alley.'' From WILTON BARNHARDT's new novel, Show World (St. Martin's, $24.95) ''Emily's hamster committed suicide right before her eyes.'' From JON KATZ's latest mystery, Death Row (Doubleday, $21. 95)