From Publishers Weekly
The latest offering from the prolific Nixon is a masterfully constructed, engaging read that will delight mystery fans and challenge readers new to the genre. Tall, klutzy Liz Rafferty is hoping to fade into the scenery during the Hotel Ridley's "murder mystery weekend." But instead of simply performing her mundane summer-job duties as the hotel's health club monitor, she finds herself the center of attention. Being drafted by the acting troupe's leader to be the make-believe witness who discovers the "body" is bad enough, but when a real corpse shows up, Liz has to put aside her insecurities to help solve both murders. Ingeniously plotted, fast-paced and lighthearted, this mystery manages to blend an engrossing double murder brainteaser with the blossoming of a self-conscious teen into a self-assured young woman. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 7-9-- Mary Elizabeth, main character from The Dark and Deadly Pool (Delacorte, 1987), returns to find another dead body at the place of her employment, the Ridley Hotel. A famous mystery writer and a group of actors come to stage a murder-mystery weekend at the hotel. The fun takes on dangerous overtones when Mary Elizabeth discovers that a real murder has been committed in the midst of the game. In this something-for-everyone story, there are also a ghost and a mysterious woman who is being guarded as she enters a witness-protection program. Mary Elizabeth still has her short but clever boyfriend from the earlier book, and her mother is still very slow on the uptake. Characterization is minimal at best, with most of the adults appearing as silly or foolish or both. Mary Elizabeth herself is a clumsy but cute teen who bumbles her way to the solution of the real crime, with a little help from the ghost, who coincidentally inhabits the room where the murder takes place. The plot is fast paced but overburdened with too many twists and turns. Readers may find themselves confused as the real and imaginary murders merge with each other and with the problem of the woman in witness protection. Mystery fans will probably enjoy trying to solve the various crimes, but the novel is not as satisfying as the previous book. --Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
