The Spanish flavor of Taos, N.Mex.—its art, religion and traditions—seasons Ulmer's second middling mystery (following 2000's Midnight at the Camposanto) featuring a quartet of amateur (and amateurish) sleuths led by attorney Christina Garcia y Grant. Christy has given up practicing law to run Casa Vieja, a B&B in the village of Talpa, south of Taos. In addition to her extensive family (the Taos police chief is a relative), Christy's close friends include lawyering mentor Doris Jordan, public defender Iggy Baca and transplanted Floridian widower Mac McCloud. On Fiestacita eve, Iggy's girlfriend, Cindy, fails to appear. When a co-worker of hers is later found murdered, the still-missing Cindy becomes the center of police attention. Iggy and Mac's suspicions, however, focus on Cindy's boss, Evelyn Bottoms, a suave, wealthy Englishman of questionable honesty. While Christy remains caught up in the swirl of family and fiesta, Iggy and Mac bumble and probe their way through the galleries and museums of Taos, reserving their most daring act for Las Fiestas. Ulmer's confident use of Spanish customs and her amiable characters are almost wasted by the lack of a credible resolution to the weak plot. The publisher's high reputation among mystery aficionados and the appealing Southwestern setting, reflected in the attractive jacket design, are strong positives, but word of mouth is unlikely to help. (Apr. 17)
