Vagabond Virgins

In Kuhlken’s engaging fifth novel featuring the eccentric Hickey family (after 2006’s The Do-Re-Mi ), San Diego PI Alvaro Hickey investigates potential corruption in the 1979 Mexican election. On the eve of the election, Hickey is contacted by the young and beautiful Lourdes Shuler, who hopes Hickey can locate her missing twin sister, Lupe. Hickey learns that Lupe is believed by the poor throughout Baja California to be the Holy Virgin come to earth to cause uproar before the elections. Lourdes also tells Hickey that she believes that Lupe killed their father, a right-wing German émigré with powerful connections to the Mexican government. Soon it becomes a race against time as Hickey and Lourdes head to Mexico to find Lupe before the federales can. Kuhlken easily blends adventure with a classic PI staple: the appearance of an alluring woman, full of secrets. Fans of the Hickey clan will undoubtedly enjoy this south-of-the-border installment. (Feb.)