First published 2013
Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen enjoys a peaceful autumn drive through Crozet, Virginia with her husband Fair, admiring the harvest season countryside. Her curiosity leads her to investigate what appears to be an elaborate scarecrow in a cornfield, only to discover it's actually a murdered accountant. This grisly find marks the beginning of a deadly conspiracy worth millions of dollars. As Halloween approaches, the killer strikes again, turning the town's beloved seasonal traditions into sources of genuine fear. Harry tends her grapes and sunflowers while trying to uncover the truth, but the murderer knows the local terrain better than she does. Her animal companions prove invaluable allies in the investigation. Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, two sharp-witted cats, along with Tee Tucker the corgi, use their keen senses to gather clues that help Harry navigate the dangerous web of deceit. The animals must protect Harry as she gets closer to exposing the lucrative scheme, ensuring that her pursuit of justice doesn't become her final case.
Genres: mystery, crime, contemporary, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-detective, found-family
Setting: Crozet, Virginia
Period: Autumn
256 pages · Hardcover · Bantam