California-based paralegal Odelia Grey is delightfully large and in charge in Jaffarian’s third entertaining romp (after 2003’s The Curse of the Holy Pail
). While Odelia’s wheelchair-bound beau, Greg, stays home nursing a cold, she’s escorted to her 30th high school reunion by attractive widower Devin Frye, a Newport Beach homicide detective with a crush on Odelia. When the night shapes up to be a repeat of Odelia’s most humiliating high school experience, her tormentor, Donny Oliver, unexpectedly ends up dead. The list of suspects includes every person who ever knew Oliver, including his wife. But Odelia’s investigation has barely begun when her stalwart boss, Mike Steele, vanishes right before a major trial. Partnering with a former high school archenemy, Odelia discovers other high school acquaintances with connections to the upcoming trial. Odelia puts her life and love life on the line as she races to thwart a gang of surprisingly enterprising evildoers. The double whammy of an ending will leave fans eager for the next installment. (Feb.)
