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Nora Blackbird's parents, once prominent residents of Philadelphia's Main Line, have left town, one step ahead of the tax collector and have taken off for countries with no extradition treaty with the U.S. They have left Nora the family home and a $2 million tax bill. In the previous Blackbird sisters mysteries, Nora has always been the rock of sanity in her fairly loony family, but in HAVE YOUR CAKE, she is very nasty until the last 20 pages. She attributes her mood changes to her pregnancy. As for the pregnancy, she has had unprotected sex with two men, either of whom could be the father of her child. She has a meager income, and what she has depends on often having to attend two or three functions per day and night. She lives in a house whose roof is caving in, but she can't afford the repairs. I know that successful children have been raised in log cabins, but Nora doesn't seem to be giving a child a fair shot. On a little reconnaissance mission for her column, Nora and her very oversexed sister Emma come to the Fitch's Fancy estate, where the new owner, the uncouth Zell Orcutt, is selling off the family possessions. Aspiring senatorial candidate, Boy Fitch wants to get his train set out, and Orcutt's stepdaughter Clover is desperate to take a desk she's had since childhood, but both are denied access by burly guards Orcutt has placed around the house. Only minutes later, Orcutt is found dead, killed by a bow and arrow. Nora's nosiness kicks in at once, although her sleuthing takes a back seat to her bickering with Mick Abruzzo, her on-again, off-again beau. Mick has a very shady past, including a stint in prison, but Nora refuses to believe that he has left the 'family business' and is now straight as the owner of gas stations and car dealerships. Nora's investigation takes her to Cupcakes, a rather sleazy dive owner by Orcutt. Orcutt has hired the totally talentless Clover as a dancer. One of the most hilarious episodes in the book is Clover's attempt to film a reality show that she is sure will make her at least as famous as Madonna. The most likeable character in the book is Mick, whose sardonic wit almost drives Nora crazy. In second place would be her hugely successful and kind friend, Lexie Paine, who makes every effort to patch up Mick and Nora's relationship. Sister Lotty is at her wacky best, with one scheme after another to enrich herself, this time with the idea of publishing a nude calendar to support her Erotic Yoga Society. Sister Emma has become less interesting since she cleaned up her act and stopped drinking, although she adds a bit of spice by taking a job as a dominatrix at a local club. Though this may not be the best of the Blackbird mysteries -- thanks to Nora's incessant crabbiness -- it still provides a pleasant read.
Reviewed by Mary Elizabeth Devine, April 2006
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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