Katwalk

The Private Eye Writers of America named Kijewski winner of the Best First Novel contest, and her spunky investigator, Kat Colorado, is sure to win the hearts of mystery fans. From home in Sacramento, Kat jets to Las Vegas to check on a fortune owed to her friend Charity Collins by Charity's ex-husband, Sam. Kat proves that Sam's story of losing the money at the casinos is a fraud, but before she confronts him, he dies, apparently accidentally. Although aware of dangers in the neon jungle, Kat keeps prying into scams that mobsters routinely cover up by killing witnesses, and she is soon on their hit list. As related by the heroine, the story successfully combines stark terrors, comedy (thanks to flaky Charity, a columnist offering dubious advice) and even pathos in recollections of Kat's sad childhood. And, her independence notwithstanding, Kat's love affair with detective Hank Parker may add appeal to the further adventures of this spirited sleuth. (Aug.)