Fingerprints and facelifts Book

For those either too young to remember Charlie's Angels in its hey day, or the rest of us for whom the campy detective series holds a special place, author Rick Copp of The Actor's Guide mysteries introduces a delightful, entertaining trio of middle-aged lady sleuths, known as the LA Dolls, who are sure to charm both ardent fans of the genre and new audiences alike, with Fingerprints and Facelifts.

During the 1980s, Dani, Tess and Claire were a young, successful team of private investigators who used both their brains and beauty to catch crooks and solve crimes. Dani, the leader of the pack, was always the smart one who never let her mind wander; Tess, the free-spirited bombshell, used her sexiness to lure unsuspecting criminals into her trap; and the friendly and sophisticated Claire, whose kindness and sincerity proved to be her best asset. After many years of capturing thieves, exposing gangsters and putting the bad guys away, the ladies decide to retire, much to the chagrin of Dani, who does not share Tess or Claire's desire to live a normal kind of life.

Now it's 25 years later, and the three are reunited for the wedding of Claire's son, Zak. Dani has since moved up in the ranks of the San Francisco police department, while raising a son, Bowie, by herself. Tess is no less exotic and living in Brazil as a billionaire widow with an equally stunning daughter, Bianca. Claire, meanwhile, has enjoyed the family life with husband, Jeb, and sons, Zak and Evan. Although their separation was not on the best of terms, they put old feelings aside immediately once they learn each of their children has fallen victim to an attack. Bianca is almost kidnapped after accepting a drug-laced drink from a handsome admirer who tries to lure her into a van until her friend intervenes; Bowie, who has followed in his mother's detective footsteps, dodges bullets and watches an innocent man get killed during a routine surveillance job; and Zak, who reluctantly agrees to a hired stripper's advances the night before his wedding, ends up badly beaten by thugs who were seemingly in cahoots with the dancer. The former LA Dolls all agree that the timing of these events is too coincidental and conclude that a former adversary who they helped put behind bars must be out for revenge. The question is...who?

Using Dani's resources as a police officer to compile a list of suspects from former LA Dolls cases who were recently released from prison, the trio is forced out of retirement and back into action. The investigation spans the coasts of California to southern Florida, and the cast of characters includes a formerly high-profile madam, a fallen professional athlete, a drug czar, and a henchman who was also a former love interest of Tess's. Their efforts are soon focused on the much publicized prison release of kingpin, Benito Coronel, who the LA Dolls helped put away for murder. Yet as the ladies' detective work continues to show promise, it begins to take its toll on their personal lives. Jeb is taken aback by Claire's enthusiasm for this kind of work, which she had never before discussed with him at length. Sparks fly between Bianca and Evan, which unsettles Claire, having seen her mother toss men away fleetingly. Meanwhile, Dani could not be happier that the Dolls have reunited, but it has her questioning prior career decisions, and the dangerous precedent she may have set for her son.

Perhaps some of the characters are a bit cliché, and the suspects' connections to each other (and in some cases, the Dolls themselves) is worthy of a flow chart, but in the end, Fingerprints & Facelifts is engrossing, exciting and just plain fun. Rick Copp reminds us that looks and smarts are not mutually exclusive, and with age comes experience. Readers will eagerly await the next adventure of these three cagey ladies.