The Hunt
Jennifer Sturman
Red Dress, Dec 2007, $13.95
ISBN: 9780373895700

Accompanied by her friends Hilary, Luisa and Ben, Rachel and her fianc Peter, Rachel visit his parents on the West Coast for the weekend. Rachel plans to behave with decorum so as to not make any waves. However, during the engagement party thrown by his parents, Hilary dumps Ben before leaving the gala.

Not long afterward Rachel receives an enigmatic message from Hilary asking for her help. As Rachel and her posse try to find Hilary, they learn she was seen frolicking with Igor "Iggie" Behrenz. As one clue leads to another, Rachel realizes someone is setting them up, but is not sure why even as she begins to have commitment doubts again.

This is an engaging amateur sleuth (though Ben is a professional) that readers will enjoy especially the chick lit asides from the heroine as she has increasing doubts about Peter even as she tries to behave in front of his parents. The story line is fast-paced as the posse work in humorous ways to win THE HUNT for Hilary. Readers will enjoy this fine tale and seek Rachel's backlist of misadventures (see THE PACT, THE JINX and THE KEY).

Harriet Klausner