One Last Kiss
By: Mary Wilbon
From: Kensington Books
Pages: 394
UPC: 0758215991
ADL's Price: $15.00
Election season in New Jersey brings out more than dirty politics in Wilbons edgy, amusing second mystery to feature African-American lesbian PI Cassandra Slick, a former Newark cop, and her white partner, philanthropist Laura Charles (after 2004s "Naughty Little Secrets"). The members of a private mens club decide they must hire the perfect scapegoat to get rid of Paradise, a gorgeous prostitute, because shes been keeping an incriminating journal about her famous clients, including two senatorial candidates. When Paradise winds up dead in Echo Lake and homophobic cop Tom Brandeal becomes the prime murder suspect, Capt. Frank DeStasio, Slicks former boss, asks for Slicks help in exonerating Brandeal. Wilbon skillfully keeps the crime investigation popping with clever twists. Especially appealing are Slicks outrageous Nancy Drew pals, oversize twin transvestite streetwalkersLady Dijonnaise and Sheleeta Buffetwho loved Paradise and deserve their own novel