From Publishers Weekly
Fans of Chittenden's previous Charlie Plato mysteries (Dying to Sing; Dead Men Don't Dance, etc.) will find this fifth entry in the series just as sassy and full of fun. The vivacious California redhead is still trying to keep Chaps, her country-western nightclub, afloat and her innards from going whomp at the thought of partner Zack Hunter, a former TV star and a major hunk. Savanna Bristow, another partner, wants to throw a party at Chaps to celebrate both her 20th high school reunion and the 50th birthday of everyone's favorite teacher, Reina Diaz. Forty of Reina's old students, all purportedly devoted to her, attend the party, but when Reina is found strangled in a stall in the ladies' room, it's clear that at least one member of the class is no fan. Charlie and Zack investigate with nothing to help them but a crumpled piece of paper clutched in the corpse's hand. The sleuths soon learn that many of her students had reason to hate and fear Reina. Suspects abound, each with a better motive than the last, and mayhem reigns. Another murder, arson, guilty secrets and lying all around complicate Zack's and Charlie's efforts. Our heroes appear to be getting closer to each other as they get closer to a solution to the crimes, but will they ever be a couple? Please, Ms. Chittenden, don't keep us waiting too long for the next Charlie Plato mystery. (June) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Country-and-western bar co-owner Charlie Plato hosts her 20th annual class reunion, but someone murders the gathering's honoree--a supposedly much-loved teacher--in the ladies' room. Charlie soon discovers more than one suspect among her former classmates. Powerful entertainment for Chittenden fans. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
When Chaps, a Bay Area country-western nightclub, hits heavy financial weather, co-owners Charlotte (Charlie) Plato and former TV star Zack Hunter start booking parties at the club to generate revenue. When one of those functions, a class reunion, turns lethal, Charlie and Zack are forced to investigate. Although this fifth Charlie Plato mystery slows noticeably midway through, Chittenden offers a tough-to-solve plot, vivid Bay Area ambience, and entertaining background on line dancing (not to mention a great turkey sandwich recipe). In addition, her characters have grown more quirky and less cutesy. Country-music-cozy fans will also want to read Cecilia Tishy's similar Kate Banning series (including Fall to Pieces ). John Rowen


New Age Bookshelf
An enthralling mystery that grips readers with its fast-paced high-rolling intensity. Should not be missed. Chittenden at her best.


Library Journal
Powerful Entertainment.


From the Inside Flap
From her debut in DYING TO SING to her last outing in DON'T FORGET TO DIE, mystery lovers are falling for Margaret Chittenden's thoroughly modern heroine, Charlie Plato. Now, the wily redhead whose barbs are as sharp as her sleuthing is at it again, on the trail of a devious and very deadly killer.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Fans of Chittenden's previous Charlie Plato mysteries (Dying to Sing; Dead Men Don't Dance, etc.) will find this fifth entry in the series just as sassy and full of fun. The vivacious California redhead is still trying to keep Chaps, her country-western nightclub, afloat and her innards from going whomp at the thought of partner Zack Hunter, a former TV star and a major hunk. Savanna Bristow, another partner, wants to throw a party at Chaps to celebrate both her 20th high school reunion and the 50th birthday of everyone's favorite teacher, Reina Diaz. Forty of Reina's old students, all purportedly devoted to her, attend the party, but when Reina is found strangled in a stall in the ladies' room, it's clear that at least one member of the class is no fan. Charlie and Zack investigate with nothing to help them but a crumpled piece of paper clutched in the corpse's hand. The sleuths soon learn that many of her students had reason to hate and fear Reina. Suspects abound, each with a better motive than the last, and mayhem reigns. Another murder, arson, guilty secrets and lying all around complicate Zack's and Charlie's efforts. Our heroes appear to be getting closer to each other as they get closer to a solution to the crimes, but will they ever be a couple? Please, Ms. Chittenden, don't keep us waiting too long for the next Charlie Plato mystery. (June) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

Library Journal

Country-and-western bar co-owner Charlie Plato hosts her 20th annual class reunion, but someone murders the gathering's honoree--a supposedly much-loved teacher--in the ladies' room. Charlie soon discovers more than one suspect among her former classmates. Powerful entertainment for Chittenden fans. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

School Library Journal

Fans of Chittenden's previous Charlie Plato mysteries (Dying to Sing; Dead Men Don't Dance, etc.) will find this fifth entry in the series just as sassy and full of fun. The vivacious California redhead is still trying to keep Chaps, her country-western nightclub, afloat and her innards from going whomp at the thought of partner Zack Hunter, a former TV star and a major hunk. Savanna Bristow, another partner, wants to throw a party at Chaps to celebrate both her 20th high school reunion and the 50th birthday of everyone's favorite teacher, Reina Diaz. Forty of Reina's old students, all purportedly devoted to her, attend the party, but when Reina is found strangled in a stall in the ladies' room, it's clear that at least one member of the class is no fan. Charlie and Zack investigate with nothing to help them but a crumpled piece of paper clutched in the corpse's hand. The sleuths soon learn that many of her students had reason to hate and fear Reina. Suspects abound, each with a better motive than the last, and mayhem reigns. Another murder, arson, guilty secrets and lying all around complicate Zack's and Charlie's efforts. Our heroes appear to be getting closer to each other as they get closer to a solution to the crimes, but will they ever be a couple? Please, Ms. Chittenden, don't keep us waiting too long for the next Charlie Plato mystery. (June) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

Kirkus Reviews

California's Charlotte (Charlie) Plato and handsome TV cowboy Zachary Hunter, her partner in CHAPS, a western-style bar and tavern, have rented the place for one night to Charlie's best friend Savanna for her 20th high-school reunion. All is going well at the party, including several auctions for dates, when Charlie discovers the party's honoree, 50-ish teacher Reina Diaz, in the ladies' room—strangled and clutching a photograph of her much younger self. Savanna's husband, Police Detective Taylor Bristow, is conveniently on hand to take charge, while Charlie, who's been down this road before (Don't Forget to Die, 1999, etc.), starts to investigate on her own. It's unremarkable that Reina was getting anonymous phone calls and unsigned deliveries of roses; far more startling is the news that 20 years before she had given birth to a daughter she would never see again. Charlie talks to the alumni—Kalesha Jones, the African-American wife of Welsh doctor Owen Jones; businessman Forrest Kenyon; and pastor Thad O'Connor, among others—seeking a motive that turns out to lie deep in the past. It takes her best efforts, and a little help from Zach, to dredge up the unconvincing solution. Very little here has the power to convince. All the characters, including Charlie, seem as unreal as the blithe, upbeat narration and the muddled plot. Charlie has done better—and so can you.