Pomona Afton Can Totally Catch a Killer

Erratic pacing kneecaps Rose’s disappointing sequel to Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder. At the outset, flighty New York City hotel heiress Pomona “Pom” Afton is hoping to rebrand herself from hedonistic party girl to philanthropic society fixture. To that end, she’s planning an over-the-top gala for her nonprofit, the Pomona Afton Foundation, at the New York Public Library, to fund scholarships for needy students. The party descends into chaos when a guest and major donor turns up dead in the middle of the event, and Pom’s best friend Vienna becomes a key suspect in their murder. To smooth over the scandal and clear Vienna’s name, Pom drags her history teacher boyfriend Gabe to a series of clubs and private islands where they attempt to sniff out the culprit. Though Rose managed to draw laughs from Pom’s privileged cluelessness in the previous book, it mostly just grates this time around. Meanwhile, the mystery takes too long to heat up and ends with a whimper. Here’s hoping the author’s next outing is a return to form. Agent: Merrilee Heifetz, Writers House. (Apr.)