Kyra Davis, Passion, Betrayal and Killer Highlights

Passion, Betrayal and Killer Highlights

Kyra Davis

Red Dress, May 2006, $21.95

ISBN 037389578X

San Francisco mystery writer Sophie Katz wants to find her homicides in her novels only, as she still remains a bit shaken following her involvement in a murder mystery (see SEX, MURDER AND A DOUBLE LATTE). Still she cannot help but get involved when her sister Leah Miller is the prime suspect in the murder of her nasty spouse Bob, a Republican politician. Adding to the noise, Bob's biological family blames the media of being suckers about the African-American Jewish Leah; in fact his sister is just short of accusing Leah of committing the homicide of her "beloved" sibling.

Unable to stay on the sidelines, Sophie decides to get involved, though it means raking the deceased over the coals for his hedonistic lifestyle. Reluctantly she obtains the services of the most detestable delectable private investigator she knows, Anatoly Darinsky (come to think of it the only sleuth she knows). Anatoly agrees to help, while the police detective in charge, Lorenzo warns Anatoly to watch himself. Together Sophie and Anatoly begin to make enquires starting with Bob's three mistresses and his profligate spending on costly luxuries, mostly for his other women.

Once again, Sophie's undeniably implausible schemes make for a fun whodunit with a delightful romantic subplot. The storyline is humorous as Sophie's plots go awry, and the eccentric appealing, yet obviously caricatures augment the City by the Bay joyride. PASSION, BETRAYAL AND KILLER HIGHLIGHTS is a fine lighthearted chick lit mystery.