Shooting Stars and Other Deadly Things

Carrie Carlin, a biofeedback clinician at a relaxation clinic and divorced mother of two, becomes entangled in the murder investigation of wealthy socialite Helena Forester after taking in an elderly friend, Frannie Gold, who happens to be the sole witness to the crime. Much to the chagrin of her boyfriend, Lieutenant Ted Brodsky, Carlin begins her own investigation into the case, speaking with suspects on the sly, many of whom are also her patients at the clinic. Soon, Carlin herself becomes the stalker's target, encouraging her to pick up the pace. She uncovers an intriguing secret side of Forester that involves the importation of Asian girls as sex slaves, the Japanese mafia, a disgruntled stepdaughter and shady ex-husbands. While Tesler, in her newest Carrie Carlin mystery (Sharks, Jellyfish and Other Deadly Things), skillfully hides the killer's identity, she sadly keeps the clamps closed on Carlin's personal motivation for taking over the investigation and bypassing the police. (Apr.)