Dead Man Dancing (2012)

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At the start of Talley's lively seventh Hannah Ives mystery (after 2006's Through the Darkness), doughty cancer survivor Hannah suggests that her sister Ruth, newly svelte and bronze-haired spiked, prep for her coming wedding to bright young attorney Hutch, a former ballroom dance enthusiast, with lessons at the J & K Dance Studios in Annapolis, Md. Hannah reflects wryly on the exorbitant costs of dance competitions, a culture addicted to glitzy shows like American Idol, and the nasty potential for child exploitation. With Ruth sidelined by a leg-busting sabotage attack, Hutch and a new partner, Melanie, audition for a TV dance talent hunt, but their instructor falls victim to an exotic poison and Melanie drowns in the South River, jolting Hannah's spunky Nancy Drew nose for clues into classy action. Full of tangy Annapolis local color, this airy concoction won't satisfy all whodunit hungers, but never-say-die Hannah makes it a tasty dessert. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist Talley’s latest Hannah Ives mystery is sprightly and engaging and, unusual for a mystery, focuses on the world of competitive ballroom dancing. Hannah’s sister, Ruth, is getting married to Hutch, an accomplished amateur ballroom dancer. Ruth is determined to become as good a dancer as Hutch so she can “dance him proud” at their wedding, but she desperately needs lessons to do so and begs Hannah to sign up, too. The first few sessions go well, and the dance instructors are so impressed with Hutch’s (and Ruth’s) skill that they convince them to audition for the TV show Shall We Dance? Then Ruth is violently attacked. Desperate for Hutch to go ahead with the competition, the dance studio finds a new partner for him, but when a brutal murder takes place on the eve of the competition, Hannah must use her amateur-sleuthing skills to find the killer. Snappy dialogue, a level-headed heroine, and just enough dry humor enliven the newest entry in this entertaining series. --Emily Melton