Kate and Kitty chase after Walter in their 1974 El Dorado, but lose him on the freeway.  At Walter’s house, Kate not only finds the expensive boots that Kitty swiped, but Walter’s nephew Fred, the president of the bank.  Kate and Kitty can’t imagine what Walter is mixed up in, but Kate’s immediate concern is the financial stability of the theater and being able to keep Audrey, the rather surly plant puppet, long enough to open “Little Shop of Horrors.” 

Before long, Kate and Kitty are mixed up with a Clinton masked man, a biker gang who call themselves Devil’s Cheerleaders and the Treasury Department looking for a ring of counterfeiters.  All this and there is a sausage festival in town attracting all sorts of oddballs.

Fans of slapstick mysteries will appreciate this mystery and all its zaniness, but there may be too much craziness for many readers.  Kate has potential to turn into a favorite character, but she’s always on the go, never giving readers a chance to get to know her. The appearance of a previous lover in the form of a G-man doesn’t really seem to serve much purpose as Kate and Sheriff Ben agree they will keep their relationship under wraps until after the election is over. 

The mystery is well constructed and provides enough to encourage readers put of by the antics of the characters to continue reading.  A bit of backstage insider info, including how to run Audrey the plant, also adds a bit of interest.  

                   --Jennifer Monahan Winberry