The Bright Silver Star: A Berger and Mitry Mystery

SILVERCLAN

Near Dorset, Connecticut, movie star Tito Molina drives through the protective railing overlooking a cliff side to his death. Though it appears to have been an accident, State trooper Desiree Mitry investigates the incident with the press corps devouring everyone and everything in its quest for sensationalism. The media is bad enough, but Tito¿s fans also flock to the site impeding the investigation to determine whether this was an accident, suicide, or homicide as enough evidence surfaces to cause doubt. For relief from the pressure cooker Desiree turns to her squeeze, expatriate New York film critic Mitch Berger.

Between the media and the police, Gold Coast residents find their nighttime sexsecrets revealed. It seems much of the populace spends more time out of home and in someone else¿s bed than the military does (Rumsfeld would want to make this the goal). All this bed hopping just makes the case more complex as many folks had a reason to kill the actor. Desiree is horrified to learn that Mitch also had a run in, though not sexual, with the deceased after trashing a film starring Tito. Then a second death in a motel bed occurs.

Though more like Peyton Place than a police procedural. fans of the series will enjoy the return of M & M. The story line is filled with characters hopping from one bed to another, providing motives and opportunities for wanting Tito dead as the film star is one of the more frequent boudoir travelers. The interference of the press and the Tito¿s fans offer insight into a celebrity investigation, but that still takes second place to sex in the suburbs.

Harriet Klausner