Touchfeather

A publisher’s note in Sangster’s dated first Katy Touchfeather novel gives fair warning: “This book was originally published in England in the late 1960s and reflects the cultural and sexual attitudes, language, and politics of those turbulent times.” Bubbly, irrepressible air hostess Katy barely has time to settle in at her hotel after a flight to New York City before she receives a summons to meet her boss, C.W. Blaser, at his downtown Manhattan office. Blaser informs her that her airline pilot husband, Tom, who died in a car accident in Rome three years earlier, was actually murdered and shows her the flattened bullet retrieved from his head in the postmortem. Would Katy like to help apprehend those responsible for Tom’s death? Soon she’s off on a mission to keep tabs on a scientist who has created a device sought after by major world powers. Drawn by her breezy, chatty first-person narrative, readers will cheer Katy on as she skates around the gaping plot holes and colossal coincidences with flamboyant grace. The bad behavior of some male characters may offend anyone concerned about sexual harassment. (Jan.)