Maybe just 2.5*...

I didn't much care for the way the book ended with a sense of ambiguity over Arrington's guilt. If it had stopped with the scene outside the courthouse, I would have been much happier!. Also, I found Stone's ability to attract all the women with whom he came into contact (even when he wasn't trying) a bit too much; it seemed more like a male fantasy rather than real life.

The solving of who killed Arrington's husband, Vance Calder, was a little slow coming to the point but well done (except as I mentioned above the very end).

The narrator, Tony Roberts, was good but I wonder why Dolce had a thick Italian accent and her sister Mary Anne had no accent at all... ( )

First edition signed as new

Most of the story line was interesting and well-paced, however, the Stone-Barrington-As-An-Alley-Cat was too much to take. The all too casual sex with just about any female on two feet, except the maid, was really not entertaining, and was actually off-putting. Stuart severely overshot the mark in this line of action. I hope he will dial it back in future books. ( )

I accidentally read this book out of order, which is annoying. Stone and Arrington are brought together again as she is accused of murdering Vance Calder, and Stone has to deal with his love for Arrington and his Italian marriage to his best friend's "connected" and unbalanced sister-in-law. ( )

Hard to put down. Another entertaining mystery which took place mostly in California, among the stars.

Possibly the first appearance of Joan Robertson, Stone's new secretary.

( )