Working hard to keep her five and dime operating in the black, Deveraux "Dev" has opened it to local community groups at night, even offering some catering. When the local book club meets at her store, the author is met with derision and he storms out of the store. Shortly after midnight, Dev is called by the town sheriff. The body of a poet who read to the group has been found outside her store.

With the outside of her store marked off as a crime scene, Dev reviews her books and realizes that she must get involved if she is to keep her doors open.

First, she has to learn more about the identity of the poet. He claims to be from their small town but no one recognizes him. His writing is incredibly sexist and offensive to most of the book club. With the help of her two suitors, Dr. Noah Underwood and U.S. Marshal, Jake Del Vecchio, Dev will learn more than she ever wanted to know about the victim. Not only did he write a local gossip column, he was also the author of a book that rivaled Fifty Shades of Gray.

When an attempt is made on Dev's life, the sordid details of Lance Quistgaard's life will be revealed. DEAD BETWEEN THE LINES will keep the reader guessing. Ms. Swanson's Devereaux's Dime Story Mysteries are a must for cozy readers everywhere.