Falsely accused of arson and murder, Eversz's series hero Nina Zero (Shooting Elvis; Killing Paparazzi
) gets herself into more trouble than ever in this new installment. Formerly Mary Alice Baker, a children's photographer who landed in prison, upon parole she morphed into exotic Nina Zero, a celebrity paparazza for Scandal Times
in L.A. While trying to take pictures of the reclusive retired movie star Angela Doubleday, Nina sees Doubleday's Malibu mansion go up in flames, is shot at by a strange man and finds herself adopted by a lovable, toothless rottweiler. When a vicious arson investigator blames Nina for the fire and—after human bones are discovered in the ashes—murder, she must prove her innocence. Along the way she befriends Angela's niece, Arlanda Cortes; Angela's godfather, Ben Turner; and a retired sheriff's deputy; she also meets a host of suspicious characters, including two brothers with a dark past who are also after Nina. Eversz noirishly evokes Southern California—"Los Angeles is a city where people move to become someone they imagine themselves to be but aren't yet and most likely never will be"—and, despite frantic pacing and a convoluted plot, creates colorful, well-rounded characters. With plenty of celebrity satire and an ending that confounds expectations, this is a rollicking ride. (Oct.)
