CAT IN AN ALIEN X-RAY begins promisingly with Temple phoning her mother, whom she hasn't visited in some years, to say that she'd like to come and introduce her fiancé Matt, an ex-priest. Minnesota is conservative and Temple just hopes her parents will approve of her choice. Matt has a syndicated radio show, and Temple has taken a long time to settle down with him, having been a social butterfly. News is just beginning to spread of UFO sightings near Vegas.

A crime syndicate which Temple has been pursuing undercover for some books is top of the list for discussion with Matt, Temple's ex Max, and other friends. Temple does her PR work, meeting clients for lunch while Louie slinks along unseen to ensure her safety. Temple's trademark high heels are for once swapped for pumps, but even those are no match for the rubble of a building site which she views. A client named Farnum, in a clear nod to showman Barnum, is responsible for the supposed UFOs and wants her help to catch attention. Temple's seen the Copperfield shows, but what this man has in mind is crazy. Then a body is found on the site. Meanwhile Matt has encountered a razor-wielding woman who is obsessed with Max, and not in a good way....

I've always found it confusing that Temple's alternate boyfriend was called Max. She's had on-off relationships with both men for some books and it would have been easier to follow if they had totally different names. A table listing of past crimes and suspects may not show up well on every e-reader. Some of the scenes strike me as having too much conversation, slowing the story, but that's the author's style. Louie chats his own version of events between chapters, like a Mike Hammer of the feline world, and is clearly devoted to Temple. The cosmopolitan, vibrant Vegas atmosphere adds to the mix, in a lively read for fans of Carole Nelson Douglas in CAT IN AN ALIEN X- RAY.

Book Summary