Dead on Your Feet

Michaels (Love You to Death) hands another murder case to out-of-the-closet, loud and proud Boston hairdresser Stan Kraychik in this witty, fast-moving romp. Skilled in conversation and adept at mining clues from gossip, Stan is an able amateur sleuth. When his lover Rafik (``rhymes with technique'') Panosian asks him to investigate the murder of the Boston City Ballet's director, Stan complies, in part for reasons of his own. He worries that fantasy-come-true Rafik, a physically flawless dancer who rides a motorcycle, wears lots of leather and speaks with a French accent, may be a philanderer or even the killer. Interrogations of the catty, egocentric members of the ballet company help Stan narrow the list of suspects and determine Rafik's true feelings. A controlled, self-mocking tone and some campy humor keep things moving at a rapid clip, while steamy (safe-sex) scenes of light bondage balance the overall levity. Although the finale holds few surprises and the denouement slips into the sentimental, this agreeable mystery draws readers into Stan and Rafik's tumultuous professional and personal lives. (Sept.)