The Fat Boy Murders: A Wyn Lewis Mystery

Secrets from the past collide with the fiscally strained present of the fictional Long Island town of Waggs Neck Harbor to create a swirl of passions in this sprightly first mystery starring Wyn Lewis, a tenacious lawyer/realtor. World-famous artist Jackson Hall returns to his old hometown where his former schoolmate, Phineas Browne, now the mayor, harbors hopes for broad renovation and an influx of tourists. At the same time, another classmate, local eccentric Percy Curry, dies foolishly in his bathtub. Hall, who had often borne the brunt of cruel pranks played by the Fat Boys, a club of wealthy schoolboys that included Curry and Browne, is now hated by his many past lovers and their long-slighted offspring. Even so, the next corpse is the mayor's. Within this maelstrom of fear and resentment, level-headed, lovely Wyn, whose long-dead dad had been a Fat Boy, must sort the true loves from the imposters, the real bastards from those who merely act that way. While his clue placement is occasionally obvious, Kaufelt ( American Tropic ) springs a few fine surprises and fashions a pleasing heroine in plucky, winsome Wyn, whose promised return will be welcomed. (July)