cover image Skating over the Line

Skating over the Line

Joelle Charbonneau. Minotaur, $25.99 (288p) ISBN 978-0-312-60662-6

Charbonneau's sequel to 2010's Skating Around the Law offers just the right mix of skullduggery, humor, mystery, and romance. Rebecca Robbins is focused on selling the skating rink she inherited in Indian Falls, Ill., so she can move back to Chicago, but finding a buyer may be the easy part. Dealing with Lionel Franklin, the boyfriend who doesn't want her to leave, and Stan, her absentee father who has just shown up, is hard enough. Rebecca's Elvis impersonator grandfather, Pop, and his senior center friends expect Rebecca to find out who's stealing and blowing up cars because, after all, she solved a recent crime before the cops could. Deputy Sean Holmes hasn't gotten over her meddling in police business then and doesn't appreciate it now. When large men start threatening Rebecca, the crimes take on a more sinister aspect. Readers will enjoy the ride, and they'll really love Elwood, Lionel's retired circus camel. (Oct.)