This novel, yet another of the author's sprightly comic crime capers (e.g., Don't Ask, LJ 3/1/93), is set in "the new Nashville": Branson, Missouri. Singer Ray Jones is accused of one murder and then of a second. Out on bail, he continues to entertain in his theater. Meanwhile, an army of troops from the sleazy tabloid Weekly Galaxy descends to bug offices, lie, infiltrate, and do anything else necessary to get some sort of story on the upcoming trial. Also arriving are reporters Sara and Jack, lovers and representatives of a trendy New York magazine called Trend: The Magazine for the Way We Live This Instant. The action is jet-fast, and the satiric commentary on country western stars and fans is wonderfully wicked. This enjoyable romp will do well in popular collections. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 5/1/94.]-Robert H. Donahugh, formerly with Youngstown & Mahoning Cty. P.L., Ohio (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In Trust Me on This , his comedy mystery published in 1988, Westlake and the reader both had a great deal of fun with the scurrilous goings-on at a supermarket tabloid whose models are on view every day at--well, supermarkets. This time the Weekly Galaxy is covering (and how!) the murder case against popular Missouri country singer Ray Jones. So is pretty Sara Joslyn, a Galaxy escapee who now works for a trendy New York magazine called--well, Trend. Ray is also being pursued for zillions in back taxes by the IRS and seems determined, despite his lawyers' best efforts, to screw up everything in sight, in court and without. Meanwhile, can Trend expose Galaxy 's hideous newsgathering methods and get their own scoop as well? Westlake's practiced hand soon has these elements spinning cheerfully. Sara is a delightfully feisty, smart heroine; Ray is suitably enigmatic; there are some spot-on takeoffs on typical country lyrics; and the windup is both utterly surprising and entirely logical. For light entertainment conducted by an ace practitioner, they don't come any better that this. Author tour. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Westlake uses his mischievous wit to take potshots at the tabloids in this spunky departure from the Dortmunder series. The tribulations of singer/songwriter Ray Jones, who's battling the IRS at the same time he's being tried for murder, bring an eager press corps to Branson, Missouri, country music's "home away from Nashville." Sent from New York to cover the action, "intrepid girl reporter" Sara Joslyn finds herself enthralled by the down-home tourist mecca, an eccentric combination of tackiness and sincerity. After gaining entry into Jones' personal entourage, she discovers she rather likes the hillbilly crooner, who's a lot more savvy than he seems. Things take an interesting turn when Sara runs into cronies from her tabloid days who are up to their eyeballs in sleazy tricks. Westlake delights in poking fun at country music (check out the corny lyrics) and dishing up Branson ambience with every flip of the page. Like the town's choked main drag at tourist time, the plot here is tricky to negotiate at first. Not to worry, though--once you're in the flow of traffic, there's lively scenery aplenty and lots of ingenious twists and turns. ~--Stephanie Zvirin