Lola Woodby, widow and disgraced socialite, and her former cook Berta Lundgren are still struggling to make their detective agency prosperous. Lola's sister Lillian is getting married in a few months, and due to circumstances, Lola will be matron of honor. Providing that she makes the right choices of caterer and florist, and takes care of every pesky little detail, Lola's mother will welcome her back in the bosom of their august family. Lola and Berta are hard at work sampling pastries and other delicacies while waiting for Lola's beau, Ralph Oliver, to pop the question. The lady detectives have a job lined up to look into the thefts of stolen linen carts -- well, one does have to pay the bills, doesn't one? However Ralph, who is a PI, also has work for them: to retrieve a stuffed rhinoceros head that belongs to -- the oh so dashing! -- Lord Sundley. Lola and Berta are on their way to Connecticut, pretending to be hunting enthusiasts -- which will be murder on Lola's T-straps! -- however the only hunting that takes place is for a killer.

The Discreet Retrieval Agency is such a brilliant series! GIN AND PANIC is the third book, and possibly the best so far. Set during the Probihition, Maia Chance's grasp of the era still amazes me, as she uses the modern conveniences of the times for creative detecting purposes, and for the reader's entertainment as well. While Berta remains her practical and efficient Swedish self, Lola's eccentricities and flights of fancy save the day, cutting in on her nibbling and gastronomic excesses. This time Lola is up to her "highballs" while her precious Cedric, Lola's Pomeranian, hardly leaves her side.

Ms. Chance's gloriously witty dialogues are absolutely enchanting, and with all the razzle-dazzle of the swank surroundings, fabulous secondary characters, and the myriad historical tidbits, the authors still spins a very complex whodunit, and she had me again, because while not missing a word, I had no idea who had done what! And one must not forget the dash of romance! GIN AND PANIC is a treat for fans of the 1920s and a delightful cozy mystery for the discriminating palate!