Night of the Living Deb

by: Susan McBride

Published by: Avon

Reviewed by Julie Failla Earhart

(Fourth in the Debutante Dropout Mystery series)

Oh no! Andrea "Andy" Kendricks's favorite dude (a.k.a. boyfriend) is missing! Brian Malone was last seen at Dallas' popular strip joint, The Men's Club, trotting behind a hot blonde, supposedly to land a lap dance for his buddy Matty. That's the story anyhow. But truth be known, Andy's beau was seen sneaking out the club's back door with same said blonde, who was only wearing a flimsy, crotch-length robe, and he hasn't been seen or heard from since.

I don't want to give too much away, but Brian better have a good explanation because Andy and her posse (her socialite mother, Cissy; Brian's law colleague and ex-girlfriend, Allie Price; and Cissy's new man-friend, Stephen Howard) are gonna hunt him down like a dog to see what nonsense this straight-laced guy is up to.

Such is the basic plot line from Susan McBride's Night of the Living Deb, the fourth installment in the Debutante Dropout Mystery series. McBride is at her best in this midnight caper that's a cross between the elegance of a Cary Grant movie and silliness of an Abbott and Costello movie.

Andy drops fewer clothing-designer names but hones in on pop culture, which made it easier for the non-fashionista like me to relate to. Also, readers get to know Andy a little better since her passion for painting is revealed. Andy's internal and external voice is flawless, and McBride has sharpened that comedic timing that is so difficult to emulate, especially on paper.

Night of the Living Deb is fun, smart and sassy. It's a great way to break the mid-winter blues or the perfect paperback to pack for that spring vacation.

Armchair Interviews says: This book is a hoot!

Author's Web site:
http://www.susanmcbride.com