Beach Bags and Burglaries

August 1, 2014
Haley and her three best friends head to the exclusive Rowan resort as part of a prize won from her employer, hoping to see Hollywood stars (Brad Pitt?) and to score a much-sought-after Sea Vixen beach bag. Instead, Haley stumbles across the body of missing maid Jaslyn. A frenemy of the group is also at the resort for her over-the-top wedding and wants Haley's help. Cute FBI agent Luke is on the island, too, along with a reporter Haley has tangled with in the past, but no one is talking about the crime. Haley tries to get staff and her mainland law-enforcement friends to help her sort out what may be happening on the island when another maid goes missing. Haley is a smart character distracted only by the promise of the designer bag, and readers will enjoy her wry humor even as she draws herself into danger. The ending has plenty of unexpected twists, engineered by the feisty heroine. Howell continues to deliver light, fun beach reading. Fans of Laura Levine may also enjoy this one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)