The Peanut Butter Murders

Fresh from their romp in Murder by Owl Light, widows Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate, sprightly residents of Camden-sur-Mer retirement home, help San Diego police lieutenant Martinez investigate the death of neighbor Alexander Lightfoot, who was crushed by a train. The victim was engaged to wealthy Camden resident Edna Ferrier, whose estate is handled by her brother-in-law Wallace Clayton, whom the sleuthing duo dislike. They conscript a fellow resident and former actuary to sneak a look at Clayton's books, but find nothing untoward. Further probing is stonewalled when another new resident, who knew the victim, refuses to answer questions. After Clayton's secretary is bludgeoned to death and Martinez learns that Lightfoot was an ex-con who had changed his name, Angela and Cal renew their efforts. Sawyer's sly sense of humor and her fiesty senior citizens will delight fans of the not-so-violent mystery novel. (Apr.)