Hide and Snake Murder: A Shay O’Hanlon Caper

In Chandler’s rip-roaring sequel to Bingo Barge Murder (2011), “sick gambler” Basil “Baz” Lazowski turns for help to his old schoolmate, series heroine Shay O’Hanlon, owner of the Rabbit Hole, a Minneapolis coffee shop. Thugs are after Baz because he stole a stuffed snake that happened to be filled with wads of cash. Unfortunately, the poker-loving aunt off whom Baz sponges, Agnes Zaluski, accidentally took the toy with her on a vacation trip to New Orleans. Baz, Shay, and Shay’s best friend, Nicholas “Coop” Cooper, head south to retrieve the stuffed snake before the thugs do. Once in the Big Easy, they all land in more trouble than they could ever have imagined. Fortunately, Shay’s law-enforcement girlfriend, JT Bordeaux, who’s been attending an FBI training course at Quantico, comes to the rescue. Fans of comic cozies are in for a wild, enjoyable ride. (June)