10.
It’s set in California, Palm Desert to be exact. If you’ve been there,
you know what we mean; if you haven’t, you'll want to go.
This likely was not only the most
beautiful garden in Los Angeles, but
also the most beautiful spot, period. Which in the land of mountains, palm
trees, and the Pacific Ocean, was saying something.
9. To
see Val pick up where she left off with Detective Dennis Culotta.
I relived the whole scene yet
again, a little ashamed of the tingle of excitement it gave me, considering the
nasty circumstances.
8.
To meet Kit’s sister, Nora.
Once the brilliant Nora Juckett removed her
first mortarboard and was safely out of the state, the sisters assumed opposite
lives.
7.
To see how the California police stack up to the dishy detective from Illinois.
Standing guard outside was a man in blue, Palm
Desert–style. (His Hawaiian shirt was fuchsia laced with large white tropical
flowers, but his shoulder holster and gold badge proved he was a cop and not a
hotel guest.)
6.
To meet Kit’s mother.
“Beverly probably had one too many
last night and just realized her daughter is seeing someone older than her.”
5.
To join Val and Kit in their latest caper, as they unravel mystery upon
mystery.
“The question is not just who he is, but where he is.”
4.
To see what your luggage—and what you paid for it—says about you.
My brand-new neon-pink nylon suitcase rolled down the carousel
upside down with a big black mark that looked suspiciously like a man’s
footprint stamped on one side. It was followed by Kit’s two perfect Gucci bags
in a classic gray-and-black tweed edged in leather. Somehow they stood upright
and looked as if they were still on a showroom floor.
3. To learn trivia
about Blue Man Group.
Two of the three founders struck up their
friendship in junior high.
2. To learn
whassup now with Val’s daughter,
Emily.
“I—I mean we—have something to tell you, Mom.
I’m so glad you called, although I really wish we could do it in person—”
“Well, you’re in luck then. You’ll never guess
where I am.”
1. To learn the
location of the next Val & Kit
mystery. Find out what could possibly top California, Palm Desert to be exact.
“Kit and I are going there.”