BITTER SWEETS

Eased out of her job with the San Carmelita Police Department (Just Desserts, 1995), queen-sized peach blossom Savannah Reid has set up the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency. She's jubilant when she lands her first client, realtor Brian O'Donnell, who traced his sister Lisa Mallock, separated from him since her childhood adoption, to San Carmelita before he lost her trail. But Savannah quickly learns that Lisa doesn't want to be found. The $50,000 legacy Brian's trying to share with her is no match for his sister's terror of her abusive ex, Earl Mallock. Hours after Savannah has found Lisa, she's dead, and her daughter Christy's missing. The brutal murder looks just like Earl's work- -until he turns up as the next victim. Despite a tough time for poor Lisa, this is more sweet than substantial, with gauzy romance-novel clichÇs purveying a double portion of food, fashion, and full-figured fun. Only the mystery is malnourished.