What a coup! Hot Rod & the Pistons have made it into the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. So, after more than 30 years, they’re getting together again to play. As used to happen so long ago, the groupies flock to their performance. Older now, obviously, but any wiser? Well, not all of them. A few just don’t seem to grow up.

Following the ceremony, lead guitarist Rick, always the bad boy, sneaks out to his rented cabin with his main squeeze from way back, a woman still living in Galena where the band originated. She and Rick were once an item, at least in her mind. Are they now rekindling an old flame? Not exactly. It turns out that he has somewhat different ideas than she does. By evening’s end, she leaves Rick behind, ensuring that he will never play again. Ever.

"Max Allan Collins crafts a fine thriller with characters you can’t help but like.... Pick up GIRL CAN’T HELP IT, settle in for a few hours of thrilling escape and try to figure out whodunit. I dare you."

The next summer, the town of Galena is making plans to kick off the season with a music festival, featuring, naturally, their own home-grown band, Hot Rod & the Pistons, minus Rick, of course. When another member of the group dies --- this time of an apparent suicide --- Galena Police Chief Krista Larson begins to suspect foul play. She can’t prove anything, but no cop believes in coincidences, and two deaths of the Pistons’ music men strike her as just plain wrong.

Like the Class Reunion Murders a short while back, Krista decides to engage the help of her father Keith, a retired detective. At only 29, despite a good instinct, she lacks her dad’s experience. Besides, Keith Larson was a roadie for the Pistons back in the day, a valuable connection in the current police investigation, and it looks as though the band may need his help again now, not just to haul equipment. It appears that someone has a serious bone to pick with the band. And Keith has a license to carry.

As the days wear on, it seems like the killer may be targeting people outside the band, too, when someone close to one of its members dies suspiciously. What the heck is going on? There must be a common bond to the victims, but discovering what it is remains a puzzle. Good police work and keen observation go hand in hand. Still, it comes right down to the wire before detectives finally figure out the identity of their killer. And what a shocker! No one was looking even vaguely in that direction.

Our delightful police chief may be young, but she has a lot going for her. The citizens of Galena like and respect Krista, and most of them trust and back her decisions, much like they did her father. With this case, though, she has more than a professional stake in the band’s survival. Krista recently has begun dating one of their new members, and the relationship is heating up.

Max Allan Collins crafts a fine thriller with characters you can’t help but like. This series will hook you, guaranteed. Pick up GIRL CAN’T HELP IT, settle in for a few hours of thrilling escape and try to figure out whodunit. I dare you.