Marian Keyes has sold five million books around the world, and in the summer of 2001, she finally came to the U.S. to promote her novel "Last Chance Saloon." Unfairly dismissed by some as a mere "women's writer," Keyes should not be punished for writing about relationships, romance and heartbreak. Many writers mine this material - not many as humorously as Keyes does. "Last Chance Saloon" follows childhood friends Tara, Fintan and Katherine. There's the requisite angst about dating, from Tara, whose current mate is a bit of a heel, and Katherine, who has given up entirely on love. It doesn't help either that Fintan seems to be in a perfect relationship. But it is Fintan, when tragedy strikes, who pushes the cynical duo to demand more out of life. "Last Chance Saloon" is not to be mistaken for "Ulysses." Still, this is a fine, fun page-turner.

($25 / 370 pages / William Morrow)