Hollywood Stuff (Jane Wheel Mysteries, No. 5)
In Fiffer's disappointing fifth Jane Wheel mystery (after 2004'sBuried Stuff), collectibles maven Jane is thrilled when Wren "Bix" Bixby, an L.A. movie producer, calls to say she wants to make a movie about Jane's adventures as a part-time PI. Jane and Tim Lowry, her best friend and business partner, head to California on the next plane. She's not there long before she runs into her college beau, Jeb Gleason, who, it turns out, is buddy-buddy with Bix. Then an explosion in a prop room lands Bix in the hospital. To make matters worse, Bix's business partner—or, rather, someone whom Jane thinks is Bix's business partner—is stabbed at a large flea market with a potentially valuable letter opener. While investigating this crime spree, Jane realizes that her old flame's writing career isn't as golden as it seems. Unfortunately, two-dimensional characters and the killer's obvious identity will limit readership to less demanding cozy fans.(June)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.