Nutcase    by Charlotte Hughes Order:  USA  Can Jove, 2009 (2009) Paperback     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Charlotte Hughes' Nutcase is the sixth in her Kate Holly series. Janet Evanovich and Publisher's Weekly have both given Hughes' novels fine praise. Pat Conroy says, 'Charlotte Hughes is the real thing.' Psychologist Kate Holly has not had an easy time in life since hanging out her shingle. But the deciding factor in the building manager's decision to evict her is that she blew up her office with a vial of nitroglycerin (she was sure her patient had to be bluffing and that it couldn't really be nitro). Things continue to go downhill until Kate figures she has no more hill to trudge down. Kate is still in love with her ex-husband, whose first passion is fighting fires. Trying to work out their differences with counseling isn't working. Her ex-boyfriend wants her to share his office space (not something ex-husband is exactly thrilled about). She has collected some really oddball patients (what does she expect, given her calling?) She already has a meddling mother. Her eccentric, very rich secretary rounds out a clutch of interesting and really fun characters. Add a storyline that seems to have no purpose but to entertain and you have a novel that will have you laughing out loud. And make you fall in love with Kate. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews