In Rachel Wyatt's sequel to The Day Marlene Dietrich Died, the central character of Almeida faces retirement and pressure from her daughters to behave properly for a woman her age in Mona Lisa Smiled A Little (Oolichan $17.95). Her ex-husband Joe helps her through the transition by taking her to China, where they rekindle their old love. But they return only to find that one of their daughters has died. Author of four novels, Rachel Wyatt has had more than 100 radio dramas produced by the CBC and BBC. Her play Crackpot, based on the novel by Adele Wiseman is in production at the Finborough Theatre in London. Her latest play Knock, Knock, Who's There? is being produced by Alberta Theatre Projects in Calgary. She lives in Victoria. 0-88982-176-3

[BCBW AUTUMN 1999]