Wrecked

April 12, 2010
In Clark's slapdash 13th mystery to feature New York City PI Regan Reilly (after 2009's "Cursed"), the disappearance of divorcée Adele Hopkins interrupts the plans of Regan and her husband, Jack, to celebrate their first anniversary at their weekend place on Cape Cod. During a storm, Skip, a local caretaker, finds Adele lying in a heap outside the house she's renting, her face bloody, her rowboat banging against the rocks in the nearby bay. By the time Skip returns with help, Adele is gone. As Regan and Jack aid the authorities in locating Adele's next of kin, clues surface that suggest Adele has been the victim of foul play. The two co-owners of the boutique Pillow Talk, who knew Adele as one of their best customers, offer Regan and Jack an important lead, while a visiting theatrical troupe lends a bizarre plot twist. Clark's easy humor will please cozy fans, but Regan's unconvincing eureka moment and the villain's lack of a credible motive disappoint. "(Apr. 13)" .

In Clark's thirteenth quirky mystery with Jack and Regan Reilly, the couple plan a romantic getaway on Cape Cod to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Their arrival in a brutal storm sets the stage for murder. The seaside setting includes the body of a missing woman found on the beach, a zany traveling theater troupe, and a quaint shop named Pillow Talk. Michele Pawk captures the setting and eccentric characters with authenticity. Her descriptions of unmailed apology cards and decorative pillows embroidered with clever witticisms--both found in the missing woman's apartment--are delightful. But her portrayal of Floyd, a larger-than-life psychopath, and his illogical kidnapping demands stretches credibility. Pawk's fast pace maintains listener attention, but the story's characters and over-the-top coincidences aren't believable. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine