Rumor has it around Dorset, Conn., that film critic Mitch Berger and police trooper Desirée "Des" Mitry have broken up due to Mitch's ill-timed marriage proposal in their diverting fifth adventure (after 2004's The Burnt Orange Sunrise
). But before the town's resident odd couple can resolve the big question, a homeless man known as Pete is found slain near the home of famed chef Poochie Vickers. It's quite a coincidence that Pete is murdered just as Poochie's prize Mercedes Benz is stolen, right after local bad boys Stevie and Donnie Kershaw have been released from prison. Everyone knows there are decades of bad blood between the Kershaws and the Vickers, and Poochie's Mercedes proves to be the tip of the iceberg. When a second body turns up, it's clear the blood feud between Dorset's Montagues and Capulets will take a devastating toll on the town unless Mitch and Des can unravel a twisted tale of love, hate, greed and cold-blooded murder. Handler once again delivers a top-notch tale of crime and intrigue. (Mar.)
