The first few pages had me laughing out loud, and I settled in to enjoy an author who clearly understood about reading as entertainment: pure, lighthearted pleasure. But then things got serious. Oh, the hero still got into absurd situations, taking it all with wisecracks and self-deprecating humor, but this became a deeper than expected story of people you believe in and care about, dealing with real problems. Even though I figured out some of the revelations before the end, I cared enough that I was reading on as much to see how these people were affected as to see if I got things right.

Toby Dillon has returned from the Peace Corps to become an assistant club tennis pro (the job came with a free apartment) and an adoption lawyer (still helping people while acting as the anti-lawyer counterpoint to his disapproving father's stereotypical corporate law shark). Among his first clients are the husband and wife Hollywood stars who have been his best friends since childhood. They're radiantly happy new adoptive parents until a phone call from an unsuspecting doctor rips that happiness apart. In trying to help his friends resolve the issues raised by that call, Toby has to deal with fraud, kidnapping, murder, and maybe worst of all, the harm that buried secrets --even the well-intentioned ones of good people-- can create.

This is a well-written and well-plotted story full of humor, humanity, and surprises to the very end. I only foresaw some of the revelations. You'll enjoy Toby's company, whether he is reminiscing about his first kiss or caught in the absurdities of facing the police in his Cat in the Hat ™ PJs. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended.