The murder of a first-place winner rocks a small-town high school in the third thriller from the author of Cross Your Heart, Hope to Die.

With the killer of the Peach Blossom Queen still on the loose and the festival on hold, everyone is on edge in the small town of Paradiso, California. Amid all the horror and sorrow, one good thing has happened: the hunkiest guy in school likes Hope Hubbard. It's a dream come true for the high school computer whiz (and sometimes bookie). But she's not betting on everything getting back to normal soon.

As a tornado of rumors swirls through town, a few suspects are cleared while others emerge. The killer could be anyone—a respected citizen, the school's heartthrob teacher, a best friend, even a boyfriend. The three candidates still in the running for Peach Blossom Queen must rethink their strategies. And even when Hope discovers a pivotal piece of evidence, it may be to too late to save the town's reputation—and the next victim.