WELCOME TO SOUTH CAROLINA, WHERE THE HOSPITALITY IS WARM AND THE MURDER IS STONE-COLD.

It's summer and the Fourth of July carnival has come to Dacus. The only problem is that the fright house isn't impressing attorney Avery Andrews.

Until a leg falls off a blood-spattered, chainsaw-wielding mannequin. A very real—and very dead—leathery body is revealed. This has quickly become the most realistic fright house she's ever experienced.

For the first time that night, Avery feels a jolt of fear. And a dash of adrenaline as a new case falls into her lap.

The next day, an old school friend tumbles to her death over Bow Falls. Her horror-struck husband faints. But did she fall or was she pushed? Either way, his new lady friend seems too close for comfort.

Avery must piece together a very cold case and a very cold-blooded murder. But nothing is ever clear-cut in Dacus. Can she straighten things out?

This southern cozy murder mystery is perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, Karen MacInerney, Sonia Parin, and Faith Martin.