Stella has been living in the cabin with the ghost of Eric Gamlyn, the former fire chief and the man who built the cabin. Standing between her home and the bulldozer waiting to destroy it is not a good situation, but that is where Stella finds herself. She has just accepted the town council's offer of fire chief's job.

With two of her volunteers out, Stella has to find some replacements and prevent the destruction of her home. When an expensive home is consumed by fire and the occupant is found dead, Stella will work with a fire investigator to find the source of the blaze.

Both Stella and the fire investigator are threatened if they don't give up the investigation. Stella has and agent of the TBI asking to be kept updated, claiming he doesn't trust the local police chief. Not a big fan of the police chief but unwilling to further anger him, Stella faces a tough decision.

To make things worse, the state fire inspector caves to the threats and reports nothing suspicious. Stella will have to find out the truth herself before someone else dies.

J.J. Cook has written an exceptionally complicated story for IN HOT WATER. The third in the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade series, IN HOT WATER will keep the reader guessing to the very end. Each book ends with some kind of cliff hanger, but this one really takes the cake. You will be left gasping, "But you can't do that. Now, I have to wait who knows how long to find out what is going to happen." I know I won't be alone in that reaction.

The Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery series will keep you guessing the entire time. There are laughs, some sad situations and fascinating characters.