School psychologist Skye Denison has adjusted to the quirks of small-town life, begun a romantic relationship with Simon Reid, the sexy town coroner, and even made peace with her eccentric family. But with the week sheโs having, running away is starting to look good againโฆ
It all begins innocently enough, with Skye and Simon seeking to expand their horizons by joining Scumble Riverโs social club. Thatโs how Skye ends up buying a weekโs worth of Instant Gourmet food at a โhome products peddling partyโ hosted by Barbie Addison. Also club members, Barbie and her husband Ken maintain such perfect appearances and designer lifestyles, itโs as if theyโre living in a toy-makerโs dream world.
But when Skye stops by to pick up her food, she finds Barbie and Ken with big bows tied tightly around their necksโboth dead, and not looking so perfect either. This time, Scumble River needs Skyeโs help in solving this disturbing double homicide. And soon, Skye finds herself juggling so many balls at home, at school, and around town, sheโs in danger of dropping someโwith possibly deadly consequences.
โWhen writers as sharp as Margaret Maron, Earlene Fowler, and Jerrilyn Farmer all rave about a colleague as convincingly as they have about Denise Swansonโฆ Take notice.โโChicago Tribune