In Belmond's lilting sequel to A Rather Lovely Inheritance
, heroine Penny Nichols exults in being released from her stodgy American life and learns that being newly rich is not all champagne and roses. Her barrister boyfriend, Jeremy Laidley, also an heir to Penny's great-aunt's vast fortune, wants to use their wealth wisely. Penny agrees, planning to pool their resources and eventually create a joint enterprise that will utilize Penny's “natural-born snooping ability” and Jeremy's legal expertise. Taking a summer off to explore their options, Jeremy decides to splurge on a vintage yacht at an auction. But their dreamboat vanishes from its berth and later turns up, damaged, in a nearby harbor. Penny's determined to solve “Le Boat-Jacking,” leading them to the yacht's previous owner, Count Hubert von Norbert, in Lake Como and some seafaring surprises. It's fluffy and fun, even if you don't have your own yacht. (July)
