Bearer of bad news A novel

First-time novelist Dini introduces Lucy Rey, a reluctant Las Vegas hairdresser who has just learned that her fiancé is cheating on her. But the narrative evolves into an international spy thriller when Lucy is accepted for a position as Bearer of Bad News. Her boss, Taffy, is offering an all-expenses-paid trip to Ortisei, in Italy's Dolomites, with a $25,000 fee to be paid if Lucy finds her sister Coco and delivers a threatening message. Interspersed with Lucy's personal woes and travels are pages from a case file from the Department of Lost Things, describing the provenance of an emerald necklace believed to have disappeared at the end of WWII. As Lucy fumbles around the idyllic village, she incurs the wrath of an influencer, who splashes across social media Lucy's relationship with her estranged grandmother, but also gains assistance with her quest from the villagers who know more of the story. Writing scenes that would be at home in a Pink Panther movie, Dini skillfully combines Gen Z behavior with Silent Generation expectations and explores intergenerational trauma.

A struggling hairstylist takes a job delivering difficult news in Dini's wickedly entertaining debut. Lucy Rey--who happens to be the secret, estranged granddaughter of a legendary actress--needs cash. To get it, she responds to a posting by a woman named Taffy Waters, who's offering $25,000 to track down her sister, Coco, and deliver a sensitive message to her. After Lucy signs a draconian nondisclosure agreement, she takes off for the Italian mountain town of Ortisei, where Coco was last seen. Also in the vicinity is obnoxious influencer Cassi, mysterious researcher David, visiting student Hilde, and vacationing hottie Chris. After an unpleasant run-in with Cassi, Lucy becomes a social media villain, and Chris helps her go into hiding. Meanwhile, Lucy learns that she's not the only person on Coco's trail, with several other Ortisei visitors hoping to track down the missing woman and take a valuable emerald necklace from her. Dini suffuses her complex mystery plot with bright humor and a streak of darkness, and Lucy makes for a smart and endearing heroine. Readers will hope she returns for another globe-trotting adventure soon. Agent: Sophie Cudd, Book Group. (Apr.)