Getting Mama Out of Hell

In this offbeat paranormal cozy from Moore (Deb or Alive), British tourists Elle Winthrop and her 25-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, die and go to heaven after their rental car plunges over a guard rail near the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. “Following an unpleasant conversation with St. Peter,” mother and daughter return to earth—in the bodies of 12-year-old African-American juvenile delinquent Sylvester “Sly” Gooch and 80-something millionaire Adelaide Hollingsworth, respectively. To get Elle’s mother out of hell, the Winthrops must earn a “Get Out of Hell Free card” by enticing five people to perform good works in the name of the errant parent—all while dodging an APB the Dallas/Fort Worth cops have out on Sly for allegedly mugging the frail Ms. Hollingsworth. The absurd setup won’t suit every taste, but Moore is ever ready with witty banter and enough detail to create a powerful sense of place. [em](Aug.) [/em]