Wow, this sequel may have been better than the first. The characters were each given the their own space again and somehow used that space more efficiently than in the previous installment. This book managed to satisfy the mysteries posed in the first book while also igniting new mysteries. Armistead Maupin is a talented serial writer and this book has given me faith that further installments will give great care to the treatment of the characters and their stories. I will say that this entry escalated the stakes and scenarios significantly at a velocity which can't really be maintained without Mary Ann becoming Hercule Poirot. I'm hoping that this is something which Maupin is able to course correct without simmering down too much. I'm looking forward to the next book. P.S. thanks More Tales for teaching me about It's-Its, I may have otherwise left San Francisco without ever having tried them.
