Pennies on a Dead Woman's Eyes by Marcia Muller

I started a fairly heavy duty piece of historical fiction, but there was too much going on this week to immerse myself in historical fiction, so I dug out a good murder mystery for the required hours of reconnecting with my sanity. Of course, inevitably, this one turned out to be a bit of historical fiction as well, in a way. A crime in the fifties is at the heart of a series of murders in the 90s. I'm still way behind the present in this series.

Sharon's off-again, on-again boyfriend, Hy Ripinski, is conspicuous by his absence in this one. This could be the beginning of the end - or not. Having taken the pledge not to look into his mysterious past, she opens a new file on him before the book ends. It also appears that her assistant, Rae, is leaving behind her relationship of several volumes standing and moving on.

But - the case in hand - a woman convicted of the gruesome murder of her husband's girlfriend back in the fifties has been released after 36 years in prison. Their daughter is determined to clear her name, but the only court interested is a historical tribunal which hears historical cases without the actual force of law. Lots of publicity, though, which is good enough for the daughter.

The mother refuses to plead her innocence, but Sharon becomes convinced that she is not the murderer. Of course, the real murderer is still out there and a string of new murders is the proof.

There is even an old mansion that, if not actually haunted, should be. And the autumn fogs of San Francisco alternately hide and reveal - no, not really - but it was starting to sound like a good line. The usual good time had by all, I don't think Sharon even got beat up or anything in this one. She did get graffiti splashed on her house, though.