|
Sarah Strohmeyer's BUBBLES IN TROUBLE is mystery lite. That is not to say it lacks plot twists or even a few corpses. But it does lack the darkness characteristic of most mystery novels. The eponymous Bubbles is Bubbles Yablonksy, a bleach blonde, high-heeled hairdresser who has a knack for solving crimes and getting herself into dangerous situations. In this, the second Bubbles book, our heroine finds herself undercover in Amish country looking for her friend Janice and for the killer of Janice's uncle Elwood.
When Janice fails to show up at the church for her own wedding, Bubbles is quickly on the trail of her disappeared friend. Her first stop is Janice's house, where she finds the bride's uncle dead in the bathroom and his Rolls Royce missing. Now no one can blame cold feet or Bubbles' rendition of "Free Bird" at the bachelorette party the night before: Lehigh, Pennsylvania is undoubtedly the scene of a crime. Bubbles, her eccentric mother Lulu, and her mother's friend Genevieve head to Whoopee, PA, where Bubbles will stay with the Stoltze family, posing as Sally Hansen, an Amish woman from Ohio, and Lulu and Genevieve will attend the Pickle Fest.
Preoccupied by her squirrelly ex-husband, her love interest Steve Stiletto, and her precocious daughter, Jane, Bubbles barely manages not to blow her own cover (removing her gold toenail polish would've been a good start!).
During her stay in Whoopee, Bubbles encounters an original cast of characters, including the spooky Omer Best, distributor of deadly shoofly pies; a goofy clerk named Nimrod; and the mysterious Wolf Mueller. She uncovers a plot against area farmers, gives a hot oil treatment to Dolly the cow and moonlights at a hair salon in the mall. She also reunites with Steve Stiletto, strengthens her relationship with her daughter and, oh yes, solves the mystery!
Funny and sweet, BUBBLES IN TROUBLE is more comedy than crime novel. It is short and original; the perfect summer read. In Bubbles Yablonsky, Strohmeyer has created a genuine character, one whose strengths and weaknesses both are apparent. Bubbles is not a genius but she is thoughtful, and she is not classy but she is honest and true to herself (even when posing as Sally Hansen). Her concern for her friends and her family seem real despite her often over the top exploits and her outrageous outfits (described by Strohmeyer in loving detail). Bubbles is often tacky and larger than life but she is completely likable, and the reader cannot help but root for her throughout the story. BUBBLES IN TROUBLE is recommended for those who love a good mystery and those who love a good laugh!
--- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman
 Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.
Click here to get the audiobook from Audible.com.
© Copyright 1996-2008, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.
Back to top.
|
