The Pumpkin-Shell Wife: A Hometown Heroes Mystery

Feisty and lovable, the detective foursome made up of retired police chief Forrest Haggarty, his live-in companion Irene Purdy, socialite Mildred Bennett and retired doctor Trevor Bradford (last seen in Hometown Heroes ) investigates the mysterious death of a local plastic surgeon's wife. Upset about his mother's death, 14-year-old Cameron Maine asks irascible Forrest and friends to find out what really happened to her--a shy Connecticut homemaker who was found dead in a seedy New York City hotel, apparently having slipped in the shower. Forrest is skeptical about the assignment until Cameron's father, Dr. Jonathan Maine, adds his plea to Cameron's and offers Forrest a retainer. Upon visiting the scene, the amateur sleuths realize Esther Maine couldn't have slipped to her death. Delegating jobs, they set out to find out why she had registered under another name and who she was meeting. Laced with stories of a past very different than today, the suspense will delight readers who like mystery served up with character. (Aug.)