by Lora Roberts
Perseverance Press, October 2002
216 pages, $13.95
ISBN: 1880284545
Bridget Montrose series #2
Bridget Montrose, best-selling novelist, housewife, and mother of four small children, is desperately trying to find the time to write a second novel and prove that she is not a one-book wonder. Salvation comes when she is accepted by the Ars Foundation for a two-week writers' retreat at the prestigious Ars Ranch on the California coast near Santa Cruz. Eccentric Houston multibillionaire Norbert Rance owns the retreat and provides the writers with luxury accommodations, gourmet meals, and quiet surroundings in which to work.
The guests at this retreat include perennial bestseller Johanna Ashbrook, poet Vicor "V.J." Sunjupany, science fiction writer Dorothy Hofstadler, biographer Ed Weis, syndicated columnist Sandra Chastain and her lover Elaine, and e-published suspense writer Madeline Bates. Bridget is expecting intellectual scintillating conversation at dinner. But the entrance of Johanna Ashbrook rudely dashes her expectations.
Johanna likes both her alcohol and her lovers never ending. During dinner, Johanna monopolizes V.J. and drinks continuously while making outrageous remarks. But everyone knows that Johanna is on a downslide--while her first three books were best sellers, the critics have panned her later works.
The other writers have their weaknesses too. Madeline shows a propensity for eavesdropping and gossiping about the other writers. Ed looks down his nose at fiction writers. Sandra makes no secret her hatred of Johanna. V.J. works admirably at keeping the peace.
Bridget is more than happy to ensconce herself in her suite and work on her book as well as avoid the tense atmosphere. Unfortunately she also has words with Johanna at dinner one evening, shortly after Johanna reveals that she is actually at the retreat to meet her new ghostwriter. Later that evening, Bridget finds Johanna outside by the seawall and apologizes. Johanna is obviously on her way to a rendezvous and Bridget watches her as she makes her way down to the beach.
But the next morning, Johanna can't be found. Bridget, suffering from writer's block, takes a walk along the beach and watches the morning surfers pull something out of the water. The "something" is actually a body. But was it an accident, suicide, or murder?
Another Fine Mess is a slow-paced mystery, containing lots of insight into the joy and misery of writing. The ending of the story seems abrupt--I would have liked the story to continue on a little longer. But that's because I really liked Bridget Montrose and I really liked hating the truly unlikable characters at the retreat. I hope we see more of Bridget in the future.
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