A Not So Model Home

Sexual shenanigans dominate James’s slow if mildly humorous second mystery featuring Palm Springs, Calif., realtor Amanda Thorne (after 2010’s Three Bedrooms, Two Baths, One Very Dead Corpse). Having fallen on lean times, Amanda jumps at the chance to sell the mansion of Ian Forbes, multimillionaire owner of a hair-care empire, now reputedly dying of cancer. A reality show to air on the Q network will create a series on Ian’s choice of a final lover and heir, and will be filmed in his Spanish-style mansion, which features a decor devoted to male porn stars’ private parts. The contenders include past, present, and hopeful lovers, with Amanda acting as the resident fag hag. Massive egos collide and insults are hurled (all hitting below the belt). Two murders quietly please the remaining participants because they now have less competition. Amanda’s keen intelligence and barbed wit make up only in part for perfunctory crime solving. Agent: Alison Picard, Alison J. Picard Literary. (Nov.)