Banbury, Jen. Like A Hole In the Head: A Novel
The plucky protagonist in this pocket-sized mystery is amazingly likable, funny, and loyal. After thinking she may make a few bucks on a private deal and maybe get to know the cute buyer better, Jill, a part-time bookseller, purchases a very rare edition of a Jack London signed novel from this desperate dwarf. Of course, this turns into a big mistake and the action of the plot escalated and entertains as Jill scrambles to get the book back before she looses her life.
There are a few scary psycopaths involved, a meglamaniac movie director, some spacey friends, and other minor characters that Banbury nails in just a few sentences. The plot is well-scripted and except for a rather uncomfortable and graphic torture scene (which is ironically very funny because of the amatuerish quality of the ghouls who are interrogating Jill) easy to read and stay with.
Jill is young, sarcastic, daring, and will engender empathy from readers. Banbury does a nice job weaving Jill's past, especially the hideous death of Jill's mother from cancer, in with the current shenanigans. A great book to pick up and read in one short sitting or two. This is both a competent mystery and a slapstick comedy.
Leane M. Ellis, June 10, 1998.
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library - This page last updated 6/10/98 - lme.