BUBBLES ABLAZE

Bubbles Yablonsky--brainy, brassy, bosomy beautician/reporter/detective--only wants a romp in the hay with sexy photojournalist Steve Stiletto. But murder, scandal, scoops, and mayhem keep interrupting. And, as in the other delightful comic whodunits in which Bubbles stars, the plot pales in importance next to the banter, badinage, and pratfalls of Ms. Y and her editor; brilliant daughter; blue-collar friends, relations, and customers; pesky ex-husband; and, last but far from least, her wayfaring, irresistible object of desire. Oddly, the clumsy, albeit enthusiastic, intonations of Barbara McCulloh add, rather than detract, imbuing the narrative with an endearing trailer-trash charm, even though she doesn't get all the jokes or bring home all of the values. Y.R. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 05]