Sprightly humor and eccentric characters invigorate this chick lit cozy from romance writer Carmichael (Hot Flash
). Amy Crosby, a struggling true confessions author, is about to have her husband, Dan, who disappeared from Independence, Kans., seven years earlier, declared legally dead when she receives a blackmail note. The blackmailer, who claims Dan is alive, wants $2,000 or else. Amy's refusal to comply leads to further threats, break-ins, and vandalism, including the destruction of her deceased grandmother's teacup collection. Amy accepts help from, among others, Det. Brad Tyler, a cop who worked on Dan's missing persons case, and Jerome Keller, a friend of Dan's she's been “kinda sorta dating.” When Jerome's found floating in the local river, dead from blunt force trauma, Amy becomes the prime suspect in his murder. The action builds to a shocking finale, though the killer's identity strains credulity. (Feb.)
