The local bookshop owner talks Lizzie into inviting author Derek Alton to the next meeting of the Ashton Corners Mystery Readers and Cheese Straws Club. Never mind that she has never done such a thing before and the club isn't really ready for this kind of event.

Derek Alton is handsome, egotistical, and makes a play for Lizzie during dinner. Lizzie's acceptance of the invitation cools things a little with her boyfriend, Mark, the new police chief in town. When Derek is shot while visiting Lizzie as she hangs her mistletoe, events start to snowball.

All of a sudden, everyone starts asking if Lizzie knows anything about Alton's new book. Alton wrote one best seller and his later books weren't all that good. Rumor has it that his latest tell all is going to shock people.

As Lizzie tries to clear her name, she learns that Derek lived in Ashton Corners at one time. His best seller was set on events that really happened and everyone worries that his next book will expose even more.

Lizzie will face incredible danger as she works to clear her name and learns more about the events that lead to Derek's death.

The second in the Ashton Corner Book Club Mysteries series, READ AND BURIED, is an enjoyable book that doesn't take itself too seriously. Ms. Chase has created some unique characters in a small southern town. While I feel that she plugs healthy eating a little too often, I still enjoy following Lizzie around as she works and investigates.