Unfortunately, her plans do not go as she had imagined. The surgery was more painful than anticipated, and Mitch arrives home early, before her face is healed. His response to her new countenance is surprise all right, but not of delight. He collapses from a stroke (which Cassie hopes is not brought on by her appearance), and is rushed to the hospital. Cassie’s quiet, suburban Long Island life is about to change dramatically.

Never one for figures, she has always relied on Mitch to handle the family finances, though she is an extremely frugal shopper. When she discovers Mitch has numerous credit cards in her name charged with expensive items of women’s clothes, and a Jaguar which she has never seen, she is astounded. The only logical explanation is that Mitch is involved with another woman. In fact, it would appear from the way he is moving money around, he has plans to divorce her.

More than a little upset by the revelation of her husband’s secret life, she is determined to find out who her rival is, and to regain the money she feels is rightfully hers. She quickly learns the other woman is Mona Whitman, an employee in Mitch’s wine business. Mona has control of some of Mitch’s assets, and, as Cassie is horrified to learn, if Mitch dies under any condition in which wrongful death might be possible, she may be accused of her husband’s murder.

Over His Dead Body is quite a departure for author Glass whose detective novels featuring NYPD Detective Sergeant April Woo are well known. This novel is similar in tone and content to Susan Isaacs’ After All These Years. Not really a mystery novel, Glass’ latest offering is a glimpse into the life of a fiftyish woman suddenly faced with some difficult decisions. Her response to her plight is not at all what one would expect from her demeanor and previous actions. She shows she has the backbone and mental resources to cope with her situation admirably. Her children, who initially began to treat her as the child and they the parents, quickly learn that she will have none of that and is quite capable of looking out for herself.

There are some humorous undertones in the story as, coincidentally, Mitch is being investigated by the IRS for possible tax improprieties. The IRS agent in charge of the case develops a personal interest in Cassie who isn’t sure his interest is really in her or in what she can do to advance his knowledge of her husband’s affairs. Her children’s blossoming love affairs add to the lighthearted fun.

The development, or better, the emergence of the personalities of Cassie and her children is, perhaps, one of the strongest points of the book. Cassie, initially, appears to be the typical suburban housewife. She supports her husband’s career, always putting his interests or those of her children before her own. As she realizes what has been happening behind her back, she does a rapid about face, and show how strong and shrewd she can be. She is fully capable of holding her own against any opponent. Her children who at first seem to be self-centered and materialistic, gradually emerge as individuals of integrity and thought.

As a pleasant sidelight, the reader is treated to mini lessons on the merits of good red wines and cheese. This information does little to advance the plot beyond establishing that a collection of rare wines can constitute a significant investment, but the additional knowledge will go far to fill up the trivia portions of one’s mind.

--Andy Plonka