Amateur detective Jessica Popper is on the case again, this time in the tropical paradise of Hawaii. On a working vacation with her boyfriend Nick, Jessica hopes for some relaxing fun in the sun during the veterinarian conference.

While checking out the conference facilities, Jessica catches the end of a news conference given by the governor. When reporter Marnie Burton asks an intrusive question, the news conference is abruptly concluded and the reporter is knocked down, so Jessica invites Marnie back to her suite for an icepack. There she learns that Marnie is after a hot story involving the governor and possible corruption. When Marnie is later found dead on the beach and Jessica and Nick's hotel room is burglarized, Jessica is the only one who believes there's a connection between the two events. She's determined to solve the case before the killer strikes again.

Jessica finds there's no shortage of suspects when she begins delving into Marnie's life -- from the competitive co- worker to the boyfriend who swears he and Marnie were no more than casual friends. The deeper she digs, the more determined someone is to throw her off the trail. Unfortunately, the next casualty of the investigation may very well be her relationship with Nick.

Cynthia Baxter's RIGHT FROM THE GECKO is the best of the Reigning Cats and Dogs mysteries thus far. It's fast- paced, cleverly weaving threads of intrigue, humor and red herrings to create an entertaining tale set against the stunning backdrop of Hawaii. I enjoyed the arrival of long- time friends, Betty and Winston, and the further development of Jessica's relationship with Nick, though I did miss her furry sidekicks. Fans of Ms. Baxter's stories are in for a real treat with RIGHT FROM THE GECKO.