Dying to Sing

A country-and-western tavern called CHAPS on the San Francisco peninsula is the setting for this creditable debut featuring Charlotte ""Charlie"" Plato, a 30-year-old divorcee with an attitude. Charlie, who lives above the tavern with her pet rabbit, Benny, is in the tavern partnership with Savanna, an African American version of Dolly Parton; Angel, an ex-rodeo rider; and Zack Hunter, an actor who bolted from his successful TV series two years earlier. After an earthquake, Charlie discovers the skeletal remains of a foot in a flowerbed. Det. Sgt. Taylor Bristow, an African American cop who quotes Shakespeare and is smitten with Savanna, determines that the corpse belongs to an elderly man who was killed more than six months ago. Learning that the police aren't giving the crime high priority and motivated by an anonymous phone call suggesting money was buried with the body, Charlie investigates on her own. Zack helps by discussing the cases he solved as a sheriff on his TV show, at the same time subjecting her to his seething sexuality and general obtuseness. With a wry tone and a good heart, Charlie gamely traces the dead man's identity and, after some missteps, confronts the murderer. Although she reminds us too often of her curious nature and over-reports her romantic interests, Charlie demonstrates an appealing, lightweight charm. (July)