When the Duck, North Carolina Historical museum is blown up by a cannon ball, killing it's curator, Max Caudle, people in town start wondering if the legendary pirates who cursed the town long ago have come back seeking revenge. It's soon up to Dae O'Donnell, the mayor of Duck, to put superstition aside and find the real killer.

Injured in the explosion as well, Dae finds her gift for finding lost things has been heightened, and with help from ex-FBI agent-and burgeoning beau-Kevin Brickman, she throws herself into a world of hidden gold, pirates, ghosts lost at sea and mysterious hidden islands as she races to find the murderer. Will the missing loot from a supposed pirate's treasure chest hold the key to who killed Max?

A TOUCH OF GOLD: A Missing Pieces Mystery is the second novel in Joyce and Jim Lavene's Southern-based series, and it is a lively, fast-paced, and smart story that will have cozy mystery lovers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Main character Dae O'Donnell is intelligent and quick-witted, and it's a pleasure following her adventures. Husband and wife writing team Jim and Joyce Lavene are superb storytellers and their gift for spinning well-thought out tales of intrigue is evident in this fun series.