Too Darn Hot

by: Sandra Scoppettone

Published by: Ballantine

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann, Chanhassen (MN) Librarian

Faye Quick from This Dame for Hire returns in a sizzling noir mystery set in World War II-era New York City, where women are taking over jobs for the men at the front. Faye has taken on running a PI firm and is developing a real reputation as a tough, smart broad.

Faye is hired by Claire Turner, a pretty young woman, to find her missing soldier boyfriend, Charlie Ladd. Faye discovers a body in Charlie Ladd's hotel room when she starts to track him down, and after some investigation, she finds out the body is not Charlie, but his buddy David Cooper.

Claire's estranged sister Lucille claims that she was raped by Charlie and had a baby that she gave up for adoption. Charlie's rich parents rush down from Rhode Island when they hear from Faye that Claire got a phone call from some thugs claiming that they have kidnapped Charlie, and Claire needs to deliver the money. The hot summer weather heats events to the boiling point: Dolores, Faye's nosy neighbor, is shot; the body of a young woman is found behind a fancy sweet shop; and Lucille, Claire's sister, vanishes.

Armchair Interview says: Too Darn Hot is perfect for those scorching summer days at the beach; and Faye is the perfect hot private investigator. There are twists and turns galore, and incredible and quirky characters inhabit Faye's New York City.