KILLED AT THE WHIM OF A HAT

Here’s something new: a screwball whodunit set in Southern Thailand. Cotterill’s wisecracking heroine, Jimm, is a freelance crime reporter who completely out-sleuths the corrupt local police force on the case of an abbot who is murdered while wearing an implausible orange hat. Jimm has help from her mother, who may be going dotty; her monosyllabic grandfather, who used to be a policeman; and her computer-hacking sister, who used to be her brother. Unfortunately, Jeany Park attempts a plummy British accent for Jimm that doesn’t come off. This could have been as much fun as a Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum fandango, which is saying a lot. You still may love it if you aren’t too busy mourning the lost opportunity for a totally delightful listening experience. B.G. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2011]