Shattered Rhythms: A Lil Ritchie Mystery

More travelogue than mystery, this lesbian private detective story begins as Maine's music-loving PI, Lil Ritchie, is hired by bass player Ernie West to find his group's legendary guitarist Andre Ledoux. Before disappearing, ex-addict Andre, acting as though he were on a bad trip, stole money from his sister and then skipped town. Although Lil easily locates Andre at his Aunt Eulalie's house in Maine, she can't get him to tell her what's wrong, although he does agree to rejoin the band. When Andre and the band surreptitiously cross the border for the Montreal Jazz Festival, Lil follows and persuades Andre to let her hang around the band as protection. Despite this precaution, Andre is murdered and Lil, feeling responsible, hunts for his killer. She discovers that Aunt Eulalie has also been attacked and manages to find a few clues before the old woman dies. Long descriptive passages of the Maine countryside and the drives to and from Montreal further blunt the suspense of this thinly plotted story. (Mar.)