Murder Can Botch Up Your Birthday

the long version

No one can say that Desiree Shapiro, New York's chubbiest PI, isn't a soft touch. That's why when teenager Vicky Pirrelli wants to find out who really killed her father's mistress--a crime for which he went to jail--Desiree decides to ignore all the reasons she'd have to be crazy to take the case. (1) The murder occurred a decade ago, on the eve of Vicky's sixth birthday, so it's almost certain the evidence will be tainted or even nonexistent. (2) The truth won't help Victor Pirrelli, who died in prison two weeks earlier, and (3) Desiree has been assured that she'll be adequately compensated for her services--with Vicky's baby-sitting money. Still, Desiree agrees to look into things--and promptly comes up with four suspects, including her young client's own mother! Meanwhile, Desiree's personal life isn't going so well. The man who could be her new love has a malicious nine-year-old son. And it's apparent that the little *#!!$%!# wouldn't mind doing to Desiree what someone did to Victor's mistress....