During the summer of 1943, New York City is so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk, or whatever else you wished to cook in a hurry. It is also a time when America's at war and it is not unheard of for a young woman to meet a soldier and fall in love before he shipped out. But what if the love of your life turns up missing? This is the case that private eye Faye Quick takes on. Her client, Claire Turner, hires Faye to find her missing boyfriend, Private Charles Ladd. What seems like a simple, non-dangerous missing person's case turns into murder when a body is found in Private Ladd's hotel room. But it's a John Doe who's found dead and not Ladd. Now the big question still remains. Where is Private Charlie?

Since the case now involves murder, Faye must inform the police. While everyone and his (or her) brother is trying to identify the body, a ransom call comes in to Claire. And this can't involve the police if she wants her soldier back. Charles' father comes to town and interferes with the instructions that most certainly seal Private Ladd's fate, until another call comes to Claire. Is she too late to save her man?

With Faye on the job using her independent, no-nonsense ways and tough talk, the case is almost solved. But, of course, things never go as planned. Faye's sweet and eccentric neighbor, Dolores, is shot. Who would shoot Dolores, and why? Does it have anything to do with Private Ladd? Wait until the end and see what Faye's investigative expertise and street savvy discovers.

TOO DARN HOT, a sequel to THIS DAME FOR HIRE, is a funny and charming mystery. The humor comes from the colorful street-smart characters and the 1940s slang. The story is intriguing and keeps you in suspense with many twists and turns. Scoppettone has written many award-winning novels under the pseudonym Jack Early, as well as those featuring private-eye Lauren Laurano and some for young adults. I look forward to reading more by her in the future.