OOPS!

Loren Almer hires Lacy Tumulty to investigate the supposedly "accidental" death of his teenage daughter, who apparently tripped while going down a flight of stairs. Lacy has asked fellow St. Louis private investigator Nudger, a man she wants to make love with all night long, to assist on the case. Nudger thinks Loren and Lacy are crazy to feel foul play led to the death of Betty Almer. However, he reluctantly agrees to help Lacy on her case. Nudger quickly changes his mind when Loren dies in a supposedly "accidental" house fire, Lacy is brutally beaten and crippled, and other individuals close to Betty begin to accidentally die. He realizes that he must uncover the identity of the culprit before he becomes the next target. In his tenth outing, Nudger remains an interesting private sleuth though readers will wonder if he has stock in the pharmaceutical companies that make acid relievers. The support cast, especially the 110 pound dripping wet Lacy, who dares to go where no one would venture, is totally endearing. The story line starts fast, but OOPS! loses its OOMPH! before its over. John Lutz fans will enjoy this entry because it has all the Nudgering trademarks: donuts, antacid, plenty of action, and little ambition. However, most mystery fans who want to a more pleasant taste of Nudger would be better suited with one of the earlier tales such as DIAMOND EYES AND DANCER'S DEBT. Harriet Klausner