Book of the Week: Laura Lippman's "Another Thing to Fall"

The publication of a new book by Laura Lippman, one of the genre's most talented writers, is always a cause for celebration. In recent years she has alternated between standalone novels and books in her series featuring Baltimore PI Tess Monaghan. This year it's time for Tess to make an appearance, and although I prefer her non-series books, Another Thing to Fall is a fun (and occasionally funny), entertaining mystery. Drawing on her knowledge of the television industry, Lippman has Monaghan working as a bodyguard for a spoiled young Hollywood diva who's in town to film a TV show. The mystery plot is fine, the Hollywood satire is excellent, and Tess is a joy as always.