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I enjoyed "Hot Toddy" about Thelma Todd's death --very carefully and intelligently written (can't think of author your local library should help. I'll try to find the name if you wish) The murder of Desmond Taylor is very well discussed in Charles Higham's "Murder in Hollywood" --again, as with Toddy, some detailed research is done. The same can be said for, what I think, is the very important "The Black Dahlia Files" by Donald Wolfe --involves everyone from the movies' Dagwood(forget his name can SEE his face) to the mayor.

If it doesn't have to be bio/autobio, try: Katherine Ashenburg "The Dirt on Clean an Unsanitary History"byArthur Golden This is about the history of cleanliness in Europe and America from medieval times on. You will throw yourself on your knees and thank God you can take a shower!!! Taylor Clark:"Starbucked" ----as a big coffee drinker this was a real eyeopener (no pun!) It is not only about Starbuck's, it is about coffee--for example most coffee comes from 4 big companies which, to save $$$ cut their good product a little bit more each year with "robusto coffee" which I used to think was strong coffee. It's not . It tastes like burnt rubber. If you want to know anything coffee -from why Buckies paints their ceilings a certain color to the controversy about free trade coffee -you will enjoy.

Mystery authors: Sue Grafton (start with A is for Alibi" and proceed) Barbara Vine/ Ruth Rendell (the Vine books are more quirky I loved "A Fatal Inversion") P.D.James, and , if you like horses, Dick Francis. Funny/cute/sexy and light is Janet Evanovich (with her start with "One for the Money" and count up . They get ditzier as the numbers go up. Another excellent writer is Walter Mosley: look for the Easy Rawlins books - usually they have a "color" title (like "The Yellow Dog") and take place in the L.A. area in the 40's , 50's, and 60's.

I just finished a very strange book : Jeediah Berry's "The Manual of Detection" I can only call it a surreal detective story, sort of like Philip Marlow but NOT. Hint the Pinkerton eye on the cover and the logo "We never sleep" tie into the mystery itself.

If all else fails there is Arthur Goldens "Memoirs of a Geisha" -which is based on fact. If you want to cry, and haven't read it, try "Marley and Me" by John Grogan . What kept you from it???

I am about to start "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith. Apparently, this is a bestseller series.

Enjoy your summer. We will expect a bookreport.