Mark Manning, the star of Craft's long-running gay sleuth series (Hot Spot, etc.), and his nephew, Thad, who's performing in one of Claire's plays at Desert Arts College in Palm Springs, Calif., lend a hand in the second whodunit to feature the illustrious theater director (after 2002's Desert Autumn). The author metes out just enough hints to give the astute reader an idea of who killed wealthy collector Stewart Chaffee, a lecherous octogenarian with any number of enemies, including his estranged niece and insolent, euthanasia-supporting nurse. As usual, gay characters and assorted odd couples, such as the 50ish Claire and her 20-something boyfriend, behave just as humanly as more conventional people. In the end, Craft shows that proving one's innocence can be as important as finding the guilty. (Feb. 28)
