LEGAL TENDER

LEGAL TENDER Lisa Scottoline (HarperCollins, $23) Anybody who wants to argue that the legal-thriller fad is running out of gas could use Legal Tender as exhibit A. Somebody at the Philadelphia ''litigation boutique'' of Rosato & Biscardi has left Benedetta ''Bennie'' Rosato's law partner and ex-lover, Mark Biscardi, facedown at his desk. Naturally, the gorgeous, brilliant Bennie becomes the prime suspect. Sound familiar? Not only did she and the deceased have a loud argument on the fatal night, but she has no alibi. Besides, the cops hate her. So she goes on the lam, adopting clever disguises -- redheaded hooker, a homeless drunk -- until she can assemble enough evidence to confront the real killer in a climactic (albeit incomprehensible) scene. Author Scottoline, an Edgar Award winner for her second novel, Final Appeal, shows flashes of sardonic wit but not nearly enough to make up for Tender's cliched situation, shallow characterization, and formulaic plot. C-