ICED

Regan Reilly, the LA investigator who's evidently never worked at home or for money, is at it again, this time dogging the steps of the thief who's been disguising himself as a Santa at children's parties in order to clean out paintings from some old acquaintances in Aspen, Colorado. The leading suspect is Sam and Kendra Wood's missing caretaker, Eben Bean, but we knowand after a while even Regan knowsthat Eben's been kidnapped by Judd and Willeen, the real thieves, looking for cover while they bide their time waiting for their big score: the famous Beasley portrait of crusty old Geraldine Spoonfellow's grandfather, a portrait also coveted by Judd and Willeen's archrival, the Coyote. While Eben and kidnapped housekeeper Bessie Armbuckle alternately struggle to get out of their handcuffs and swap limp quips with their abductors (not exactly a triumph of realism, these scenes), and the shamus hired by Geraldine rushes to her side with an amazing revelation (!!!), Regan makes warmly supportive remarks, and in no time at all the crooks are behind bars where they belong. Despite the title, Clark's third (Snagged, 1993, etc.) gets by without homicideand without suspects, mystery, suspense, or detection. Her obvious competitors, the Nancy Drew stories, are much cheaper, and illustrated with line drawings. (Mystery Guild main selection; national advertising; author tour)