ELAINE VIETS – Murder with Reservations.

New American Library, hardcover, May 2007; paperback reprint: Signet, May 2008. “A Dead-End Job Mystery.”

   Things really heat up in this latest Helen Hawthorne novel. The menial job worker’s ex-husband has tracked her to Florida, and she’s working at the Full Moon Hotel where Rhonda, one of her co-workers, is found dead in a dumpster.

   The subsequent publicity and increasing proximity of her ex-husband leaving Helen uncertain about which way to run.

   I’ve heard that Viets had a stroke in March ’07, but later information suggests that she’s recovering. I wish her well and look forward to the continuation of this funny, suspenseful series.

LYN HAMILTON – The Chinese Alchemist.

Berkley Prime Crime, hardcover, April 2007; paperback reprint: January 2008.

   To fulfill a promise to a friend, Hamilton’s Toronto antiques dealer sleuth Lara McClintoch travels to China to buy at auction a Tang Dynasty silver box, one of three that will complete a rare and very valuable set. The visit results in theft, murder and the usual exotic perils for indefatigable traveler Lara.

   Unfortunately, the plot bogs down in a protracted resolution that has more tell than show. This is not one of her more successful outings, with her research and fascination with historical background failing to blend seamlessly into the narrative.

[EDITORIAL UPDATE.]   The next book in Elaine Viets’ well-liked “Dead-End Job” series came out last year in May, right on schedule: Clubbed to Death (NAL, hardcover). In this adventure Helen Hawthorne becomes a “customer care” clerk at the snobbish Superior Club in Golden Palms, Florida.

   In all likelihood the book was finished before Viets had the stroke that Walter mentioned. Even better news, then, is that in June 2008, according to this online article, she was well enough to be doing a signing tour for the book.

   An interview with Elaine Viets which was conducted by Pamela James back in February 2005 for the print version of Mystery*File also appears here on the primary M*F website.