Publisher's Weekly
In this rollicking mystery, Douglas Perkins of the London public relations firm Perkins & Tate must keep his major clientan American country singerhappy so that his company can stay solvent. It is no easy task. Black Bart is a tyrant whose sexual appetite for young girls has forced him to flee the U.S. His troupe includes Lou-Ann Cooney, the ''comedy star,'' and Maw Cooney, the ultimate stage mother; the Cousins, a group of unsavory musicians; Uncle No'ccount; Crystal Harper, Black Bart's sister; and Sam Marcowitz, ''a man who could give wallpaper lessons on fading unobtrusively into the background,'' road manager and brother of Perkins & Tate's financial backer. When Maw Cooney is hurt in a dubious accident, then dies after exclaiming ''The bastard pushed me!'' Perkins is suspicious and apprehensive: He may know who the ''bastard'' is. Perkins and his partner Gerry Tate try unsuccessfully to keep the peace within Black Bart's group, but everyone seems determined to stir up more trouble. Babson ( Reel Murder , Untimely Guest ) has a coolly amused, ironic voice. Though her characters are not fully realized, and the villain is obvious, their antics are reason enough to enjoy this fast-paced mystery.