Jo Fuller is an investigator for a wealthy woman who gives lots of money to organizations that help others. She is currently investigating a women's clinic that seems to have its own agenda when it comes to helping pregnant women.

Before she can even start her investigation, Jo receives a note from Wolf Lambert, a pornographic filmmaker. Wolf's films feature supersized women; he also owns a winery in Napa valley. While Jo doesn't necessarily approve of his films, she does like the fact that Wolf portrays large women as being very sexy.

So Jo decides to stop by and see Wolf. When she arrives, she is pleased to see his former girlfriend, Thelma, at the winery. Thelma is a super-supersized woman who starred in a number of Wolf's films and is currently directing and starring in her own X-rated film.

Jo's pleasure at seeing Thelma is quickly replaced by dismay when Jo discovers a dead body in Wolf's winery. When Thelma is accused of the murder, Jo decides to help investigate the crime.

Jo spends her work time investigating the clinic and her spare time looking into the lives of the powerful family of the deceased. She is also trying figure out her relationship with her attractive neighbor, Mulligan. Mulligan, however, isn't sure how he feels about Jo's sudden interest in porn.

I wanted to like this book; I didn't because the author doesn't take the time to introduce first-time readers like me to Jo and the people in her life. After reading the entire story, I know nothing about Jo except that she is intelligent, open minded, weighs 200 pounds, and champions large women.

I know little to nothing about her background or what makes her tick. I have no idea why she cares about Mulligan or even the basics: how they met, how long she's known him or even the color of his hair. And I never understood why Jo likes Thelma or considers her to be a nice person - I'm not as open minded as Jo, I didn't see Thelma's wanting Jo to watch her engaging in porn as being nice or charming.

Little insights into the world of pornography aside, I can't recommend A Ton of Trouble as a good read. The mystery is fine, but the characters lack depth and are one dimensional, which left me feeling unsatisfied as I turned the last page.

--Judith Flavell