Thebo returns to the quirky small Midwestern everytown she introduced in Welcome to Eudora
in this light and entertaining outing. Eudora is astir when local author Margaret Lupin publishes The Vortex
, a novel with perhaps too many discomforting similarities to Eudora and its residents. Other thorny conflicts arise when Janey Lane and Mark Ramirez break off their engagement while Pattie and Phil Walker, the parents of three rowdy sons, confront marital troubles. More serious issues also face the modern prairie town: gay bashing, the toll of the war in Iraq and ethnic prejudices all find their way into the story, which is told breezily, though Thebo's thumbprint is sometimes very visible on the page. Readers who enjoy spending time in Lake Wobegon will likely find a trip to Eudora well worth the fare. (July)
