THE SOUR CHERRY SURPRISE
by David Handler
Bedlam in the ’burbs.
Dorset, Conn., has much to gossip about. Its favorite (and only) mixed-race couple, Trooper Desiree Mitry and pudgy Jewish film critic Mitch Berger, have split up, and she’s reconciled with her ex, Brandon, a studly FBI agent. Tongues are also wagging about other matters on Sour Cherry Lane. While Carolyn Procter is sleeping with Clay and Hector, a pair of lowlifes, her former hubby Richard, a distinguished Wesleyan professor, is having his throat slit, and their daughter Molly is watching from the safety of her treehouse. When Des investigates, higher-ups warn her that she’s treading on Operation Burrito King, which has drug distributors in its sights. Should she back off? While she wavers, Mitch considers moving to Los Angeles and taking his shot at TV stardom. Meanwhile, the lowlifes keep distributing product and Carolyn keeps using. When Des does step in, she nearly dies for her efforts. She’s rescued by Mitch, who’s flown back in the nick of time. One final, almost believable twist separates the dealers from the murderers, returning Des and Mitch and Dorset to the genteel lifestyle.
Des and Mitch (The Sweet Golden Parachute, 2006, etc.) have friskier sex lives apart than together. Apart from their extracurricular activities, it’s mild entertainment at best.