Post No Bonds

Biederman, author of Makeover, introduces an unusual sleuth in this entertaining mystery. Grace Stark is 52, a suburban Massachusetts housewife who wants, more than anything, to redecorate her home. When her husband Phil, a bail-bondsman, is forced to declare bankruptcy, she puts aside her paint chips and swatches to take over the business. Phil tells his wife to post only small bonds. Disregarding his advice, Grace posts a $30,000 bond for a suspected drug dealer who calls himself Heywood. Sure enough, the moment Heywood gets out of jail, he skips town. The tempo of Grace's life picks up when she and Heywood's girlfriend, Darcy Kohler, join forces to find the fugitive. They follow Heywood's trail into the worlds of rock 'n' roll, video payola and, finally, that of a Central American drug organization. The plot is well constructed and builds momentum right to the end, but what fans will enjoy most is the down-to-earth, witty heroine. (July)