An outlandish, thoroughly unbelievable plotline and a spineless protagonist make this installment in the Little series of mystery novels almost unbearable.

The countless typographical errors that occur throughout the Rue Morgue Press edition make this story even more of a chore to try and get through. Note to Rue Morgue: try to have someone—anyone—proofread your manuscripts before sending them off to the printers; it will save your readers a lot of aggravation and may save you some return customers. I will certainly think twice before ever purchasing a Rue Morgue product ever again.

Bill Runson is a professional businessman and full-time doormat. His cousin/employee Eliot walks all over him. His former stepmother Irene walks all over him. His housekeeper Mrs. Goodhue walks all over him…well, you get the idea.

Anyway, our story finds all these assorted characters, along with Irene’s age-challenged daughter Madeleine, foisting themselves onto Bill as unwelcome weekend houseguests. Faced with the prospect of a houseful of people, Mrs. Goodhue rebels and leaves in a huff—only to return a short time later; and Bill finds himself saddled with another unwanted housemate in the form of Mrs. Reilly, the now redundant replacement housekeeper. Mrs. Reilly’s son, Joe, eventually shows up and tags along for the ride.

As the story unfolds, we discover that Irene has an ulterior motive for being there, Mrs. Goodhue has an ulterior motive for leaving, and Mrs. Reilly has an ulterior motive for staying. Eliot is just a moocher with a drinking problem. And Madeleine, Bill’s default love interest, is the accompanist to a whistling novelty act called Inavsy.

After a dead body is found in the fridge, a beret-wearing police officer called Dykes appears on the scene to save the day; although he’s not really good at saving anything and someone else turns up dead.

In the middle of these events, someone drugs Bill and Eliot and shears Bill’s adorable curl from his head; and even the eventual explanation for that is a bit hazy.

As not-so-shocking secrets emerge, illogical schemes are revealed, and a not-so-cunning murderer is unmasked, most readers will find themselves shaking their heads and wondering how a seasoned woman of the world could not possibly grasp the concept of public records…kind of an anti-climax really. And, although no one really cares, Bill and Madeleine end up engaged; now there’s a clichéd plot twist no one saw coming!

Only diehard fans of the Little sisters will want to slog through this one; and positively no one will want to endure the inferior Rue Morgue Press edition. ( )