Review: Amusing Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 17, 2012
Minnie grew up at Hope Springs and inherited the care of its famous spring from her father, who tended it before her.  She is grieved at the early death of its owner and fears for its future existence when its care falls to a man who is known to lack the will and desire to pursue any serious endeavor.  Dismayed when he fails to appear and assume his duties, she endeavors to save the spa by enlisting his family and a group of friends and actors to trick the spa's lawyer and guests and to keep the spa running.  Unfortunately, the true heir shows up with an unexpected surprise and Minnie and her co-conspirators are forced to weave an even further web of lies to cover his presence.  To make matters worse, the guest list includes a wealthy heiress destined to marry an Austrian prince (who happens to be staying at the hotel under a false name), a group of gossiping crones and a conniving hotel owner intent on taking over the spa as soon as it fails.  Minnie, true to her red-haired and red-blooded nature, fights to stay on top and keep the deception going...but can she save the spa or are her attempts doomed to failure?Having read many of Rinehart's mysteries, I was expecting a book of the same genre when I downloaded this one.  I was surprised to find that, though it has plenty of action, the book is more a comedy and farce than a mystery.  It was still very entertaining, however, and it contains the wry narrative, amusing characters and twist-filled plot that I've come to expect from this author.  Not her best but certainly a good read.