Honey Huckleberry is a publisher's book representative who is surprised to find herself seated next to Twyman Towerie, the number-two bestselling author in the world, at a fundraiser or a local Texas library. She's even more astonished when the writer eschews etiquette by eating his dessert first and then toppling into his mashed potatoes, dead as a doornail.

Honey doesn't really intend to involve herself in another murder, despite the urging of her best friend Janie, who owns one of the bookstores that Honey visits on her sales route. But it turns out that Honey's financial adviser knows one of Twyman's four ex-wives (the only one who married him twice), and a little amateur sleuthing is underway.

Honey is truly a one-of-a-kind character, a woman who marches to her own drummer and doesn't care who knows it. Raised by elderly parents who are now both deceased, and recently the inheritor of four million dollars in cash (which she keeps hidden in her piano), Honey has tried to break free of her sheltered upbringing. For this 29-year-old woman, saying "Wow!" is a bold move. Of course, finding herself in the middle of murder once again does shake up her staid routine. Honey is also somewhat daunted by the prospect of having three potential love interests - a cop, a bookseller and a film director.

The story's fast pace is tempered by the author's habit of using in medias res technique. Many of the chapters open with Honey in some interesting or challenging predicament, and then backtrack, though her first person narrative, to explain how she found herself in the situation. The narrative is thus disjointed but still entertaining.

The mystery's tone stays cozy and light until the climax, when the scene suddenly turns surprisingly violent and gory, ending the novel on a downbeat note. Frankly, I'm not sure how even the toughest mystery reader could have guessed the truth behind Twyman's untimely demise. But despite that jarring conclusion, I found Honey Huckleberry to be a breath of fresh air in a crowded room of amateur sleuths. I liked her, I liked her friends and lovers, and I wanted to get to know her better. I think mystery readers out there will be glad to make her acquaintance as well.

--Susan Scribner