Whatever Happened to Jennifer Steele?: A Cat Wilde Mystery

Ruryk's second suspense novel (after Chicken Little Was Right) finds 60-something Cat Wilde, who refinishes antique furniture, caring for an amnesiac bag lady. Even through the grime and stench surrounding the homeless woman, Cat recognizes Jennifer Steele, a childhood friend of her deceased daughter, when she sees her on the street. Jennifer doesn't know much about herself but agrees to go home with Cat. Cat enlists the help of friends--Mike, a retired police reporter, and Larry, a gay millionaire who had always admired Jennifer--to find out why the young woman doesn't remember much about her life. The events they uncover include the hit-and-run accident that led to Jennifer's homelessness and a drug dealing, blackmailing former boyfriend, who is soon murdered. As Jennifer gradually recovers her memory (and her career), Cat and friends realize that they must identify her boyfriend's murderer before he succeeds in killing Jennifer. Fans of feisty Cat and garrulous Mike will welcome this well-plotted tale, studded with tidbits from the antique trade. (Mar.)