Patricia Houck Sprinkle Bücher

In genteel Atlanta society there are worse crimes than murder—such as missing Rippen Delacourt's annual Christmas party, a fifty-year tradition. As amateur sleuth Sheila Travis joins her family and cherished friends at Rip's gala, she never suspects that before the end of the evening, a long-missing, priceless manuscript will turn up in the hands of a disgruntled servant . . . and release enough closeted skeletons to fill Rip's guest list. Someone doesn't want the unpublished novel to come to light—and is willing to make sure it doesn't. As Sheila stubbornly pursues the manuscript, she makes a deadly discovery: the someone who has already killed to keep the papers out of her hands is probably a relative or a lifelong friend . . . who now is drawing a bead on Sheila.

Amateur detective Sheila Travis visits a posh Atlanta suburb and finds old friends, new wives, and death. In the affluent Georgia community of Dunwoody, a gorgeous redhead is found murdered--and is revealed to have been the bereaved widow of four men whose deaths were strangely accidental.

A gripping mystery unfolds as MacLaren Yarbrough investigates the accusation against a youth pastor, convinced of his innocence despite a chilling dream linked to a murder. As she delves into the case in Hopewell, GA, she uncovers four potential suspects, but faces skepticism from the police and her husband, Joe, a local magistrate. The situation escalates when Joe is shot, forcing MacLaren to confront a deeply personal question: why was he targeted? The stakes rise as she races against time to uncover the truth.

No.6 in series of Patricia Sprinkle - Thoroughly Southern Mystery's.

Years ago, a dark cloud moved over the small town of Hopemore, Georgia, after the murder of a little girl. One man was sent to prison for life—and two young boys were changed forever. Eventually, the skies cleared—and although the tragedy left its mark, the folks in Hopemore settled back into their routines. But that dark cloud seems to have returned with the apparent suicide of one of the town's most beloved citizens—Dwayne Evans, a favorite high school chemistry teacher and dedicated softball coach.

The story revolves around Katharine Murray, whose home has been vandalized, leading her to focus on repairs until she encounters Bara Weidenauer, a former socialite facing personal turmoil after her husband's departure. As Bara searches for valuables to protect from her ex, she discovers her father's military medals and seeks Katharine's assistance to uncover their history. This unlikely partnership unfolds against a backdrop of resilience, friendship, and the exploration of family legacies.

In this intriguing mystery, MacLaren embarks on a quest to find a missing heiress who has vanished under puzzling circumstances. The girl, characterized by her confusion and lack of popularity, has disappeared without a trace, leaving no one to notice her absence. As MacLaren delves deeper into the case, the exploration of social dynamics and the complexities of human relationships unfolds, revealing the darker sides of society that often go unnoticed.