Matchpoint

Fun and frivolity follow hopeless matchmaker Gladie Burger in Sax's second Matchmaker mystery (after An Affair to Dismember). Gladie has a new reason to fear the dentist: she awakens from a gas-filled stupor to find Dr. Simon Dulur murdered and missing his face. The suspect list includes the late doctor's receptionist, Belinda Womble; the buoyant and Botoxed hygienist, Holly; the wacky cult that has invaded the small town of Cannes, Calif.; and a great many others. Matchmaking becomes a distant focus with a murderer on the loose. Gladie's ever-elusive hunky neighbor, Arthur Holden, is still an enigma, while the sexy, womanizing police chief, Spencer Bolton, is making himself readily available whether she likes it or not. Sax does push some gags into almost eye-rolling overkill, but she can still be depended on for large laughs and enjoyable reads. (Aug.)