Mom has decided to become a personal shopper, expecting Roselle to do much of the work. On her way to straighten a six-foot jelly cabinet, Roselle is run off the road by a man she recognizes as Eddie Ferrani, operator of the local dog track. Then she finds the body of her Aunt Caryn in the cabinet, strangled with her own apron strings. And it seems that Fast Eddie will stop at nothing to keep Roselle from talking.

Will Boone, former high school bad boy and the early love of Roselle’s life, is one of the many somewhat oddball characters who help Roselle bring down the bad guys. Goodness knows, the somewhat inept police force of small, gossipy Stark Falls is not up to the task.

Vince Christie, the victim’s nephew, is considered good husband material by Mom.

This jokey, fast-paced story is clever and amusing, even if some of the specifics of the crimes are left to the reader’s imagination.

Roselle’s dialog is often more comedy routine than sincere, but she is a likable, gutsy lady with a mind of her own.

Will’s character is more complex; he is a truly desirable love interest, physically and emotionally. Will’s sister June had died flying the ultra-light plane he constructed. His guilt destroyed the earlier relationship with Roselle and nearly his entire life.

There is a lot packed into this tale of romantic suspense -- perhaps a little too much. Some of the peripheral characters could have been either deleted, or explained more completely. But most readers will enjoy this sometimes silly but highly likable mystery romp. The details small town chatter at Kozy’s Coffee Shop and the annual Pumpkin Festival add humor and authenticity.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Lynn Bushey
February 12, 2007