Lilly is back in Wyoming after being caught in a compromising position with the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court and his wife threatened to make public a set of very revealing photographs she had taken by a private investigator. The resulting scandal would have been detrimental to Lilly's career as the Santa Bianca Chief of Detectives, and even more detrimental to her ego because she thinks the photos make her look fat. Lilly swears never to have another relationship with a married man.

At home in Bennett's Fort, Lilly has fallen in love with Richard, "the handsomest, most perfect man" she has ever known and who is amazingly single. Mostly she is frustrated that he isn't proposing to her and considers hitting him over the head with a frying pan. When Cyrus Vaile, a lecherous old coot dubbed the Hand-Man, calls Lilly to offer her a business proposition over cocktails at his penthouse, she is glad of the distraction.

Cyrus is the founder and greatest benefactor of the world-renowned Roundup Repertory Company. He suspects one of his board members of being responsible for his missing twenty million-dollar endowment. He wants Lilly to quietly investigate by becoming a member of their Board of Trustees. During their meeting, guests begin arriving to celebrate his ninetieth birthday, and he announces her acceptance of the position. She is not surprised at his attempt to manipulate her into working for him and would like to refuse, but when he drops dead, she suspects murder.

Almost everyone felt dislike for Cyrus, and there are many suspects, even nurse, Kissy, who wears short, tight uniforms and "plays doctor" in a sort of "Debbie Does Nursing Deal." There is also an actress with a mysterious past, who is living in a house described as "Lillian Vernon Meets Marie Antoinette" and is secretly dating Cyrus' brother Samuel.

Lilly's family is on hand, too, providing rueful insights. Her old-fashioned and mannerly mother is planning her cousin's wedding and complaining about Lilly's single status. She reasons that Lilly is single because her job takes her attention away from the most important thing in her life – her man. Richard continues to be perfect, and his proposal remains illusive.

Tramp is a delectable romp where men are men and women are women, and Lilly is the smartest of them all. The characters are vividly melodramatic and amusing. The evil criminal is dislikable and cunning enough for anyone. All in all, the book is a quick-paced, stimulating ride through a somewhat surrealistic Wild West.

--Monica Pope