California Fever

In this laid-back, well-paced caper novel from Jacobson (All the Cowboys Ain’t Gone), surfer Dolphin Smoote suffers from no ambition greater than catching the next wave and performing the most radical stunts in the most casual way possible. Until Claudette, the girl of his dreams, catches his eye. Finding himself suddenly in need of cash to impress her, he follows the advice of Lunch Biggunes, a retired surfing legend, and enlists his fellow Surf Dawgs in a scheme to rent out the palatial beachside house belonging to his Aunt Clemmie, a successful mystery writer. Those familiar with the exploits of Jeeves and Bertie Wooster won’t be surprised when the guests they attract include a trio of ineptly undercover federal agents in pursuit of the guest who has rented the beach house’s most expensive room. Nor will it come as a shock that Claudette’s disguising herself as a butler creates even more trouble. And that’s before Clemmie unexpectedly shows up and Lunch decides to enliven the proceedings by spiking the punch bowls at a barbecue. This skillful farce is a perfect beach read for Surf Dawgs and fans of P.G. Wodehouse alike. (Aug.)