Murder by Mudpack: A Honey Driver Mystery

At the start of Goodhind's solid sixth mystery to feature hotel owner Honey Driver (after February 2010's Deadly Lampshades), Honey's boyfriend, Det. Insp. Steve Doherty, asks her to look into the drowning of Lady Carlotta Macrottie, "a woman who'd made a career looking beautiful and spending her husband's money," in a mud bath at a luxury health spa outside Bath. Honey, the part-time crime liaison officer for the Bath Hotels Association, reluctantly signs up for four days of treatment at the clinic, where she senses something amiss. On returning home to her Green River Hotel, Honey learns that a hotel inspector has possibly died from food poisoning, a kitchen worker has run off, and Steve hasn't been completely honest with her. A surprising conclusion, a cast of colorful supporting characters, and an astute heroine with a zany attitude and a passion for chocolate lift this British cozy. (Oct.)