On her latest case, wisecracking Private Investigator, Helena Handbasket, is faced with a lot of tough questions.

Did Robin Banks have a hand in the theft of Evan Stubezzi's jewels? And if so, was the hand one of those packed in ice in the freezer box that was delivered to his brother, Owen?

Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or are all those handless corpses with scarlet fish sewn into their chest cavities purely coincidental?

What shoes should you wear for a meeting with a killer?

Why does her next-door neighbour smell of cheese?

Which of her true loves is her real true love? And, more importantly, is there anything in the fridge for dinner?

Can our man-loving, cocktail-loving, food-loving, not-so-very-intrepid heroine answer these questions-any of them-without leaving a cliché unturned?