Return to Morocco

Tori, 17, is happy to miss her debut in favor of going with her spunky grandmother to Morocco. Nannie knows Moroccoshe was a celebrated photographer there during World War II. While Nannie insists that they have come to take care of her husband's business interests, Tori senses that her grandmother is hiding something from her. Following a violent turn of events leading to Nannie's hospitalization, Tori realizes that she and her one friend, C.D., a young photographer, must figure out her grandmother's secret past before it's too late. The exotic locale and fast-paced first half of this book offer suspense and romance reminiscent of Phyllis Whitney's works, but when Toriand her attempt to understand Nannie's other identitybecomes the main focus, the novel loses momentum. And weak characterizations make the adventure story lifeless and cliched. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)