Arriving early one morning to open for business, the baker's wife walks into a bloody scene, a body, and a missing husband. Later that afternoon, a beloved town patriarch and sapphire dealer is found hanging from the balcony in his historic mansion. On first observation, it looks like suicide. An autopsy points to murder. Further investigation reveals the victim's inventory of valuable sapphires is missing. Are the two deaths related?
An invasion of Russian Mafia thugs and a string of threatening notes complicate matters. Sheriff Peter Elliott and his crew, more familiar with wayward cows and drunken brawls, dust off their investigative skills and hurry to solve the case before more town folk fall victim.
For fans of CJ Box and Craig Johnson
"This compelling mystery full of twists, eccentric characters, and enough suspense to keep you reading well past bedtime. The juxtapostion of cozy-town life with high-stakes crime adds layers of tension and heart."
-Mahnoor Lasania, Goodreads reviewer
"...uniquely fast paced and rich with small-town charm, this story takes readers deep into a web of intrigue that includes the unexpected presence of the Russian Mafia, threatening notes, and a sheriff's department just barely equipped to handle the chaos."
-Becky Burciaga, Goodreads reviewer