Last seen in Craig's debut, Murder at the Universe
(2007), hotelier Trevor Lambert is now general manager of Hotel Cinema, “Hollywood's spectacular new boutique hotel,” in this splashy follow-up. When Tony Cavalli, Hotel Cinema's overbearing owner, offers superstar Chelsea Fricks $150,000 to appear at the hotel's opening and dive from the penthouse balcony into the swimming pool, Chelsea agrees to take the plunge. But when Chelsea remains at the pool's bottom, Trevor dives in and makes a heroic but futile effort to save her life. Was it a publicity stunt gone awry, suicide or murder? When the body reveals stab wounds, LAPD Det. Stavros Christakos develops a list of suspects that starts with Chelsea's abrasive publicist, Moira Schwartz. This fast-paced puzzler shines with droll wit and hotel-savvy details. (June)