With temperatures in the nineties, Ashley Wilkes, historic preservationist, heads for Wrightsville Beach where sister Melanie has rented an oceanfront sleeps-14 "cottage." But murder never takes a vacation and as the body count escalates, Ashley realizes there is more to beach life than sunblock and fried fish platters. With houseguests and neighbors all behaving suspiciously, Ashley's tempted to retreat back to town where she's restoring a 1920s Georgian Revival house, yet even the restoration site is fraught with danger. And nothing prepares Ashley for a moonlight stroll out on the pier with a crazed killer. "I am a big fan of murder mysteries and this was not a disappointment. Perfect for a day at the pool or the beach. I have finished the entire series I was so captured with the characters and settings in all of these fantastic books. Great for bits of southern history and charm too! " Kim "I used to live in Wilmington and loved reading about areas where I have been before. The mystery was well written and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I highly recommend it as a light read that keeps the reader guessing up until the end. The characters are very well done and likeable." Mike "I have recently started reading your books on the Wilmington series and have fallen in LOVE. I cannot put them down . Needless to say not a lot is getting done at home.Thank you and GOD BLESS" Anne "Just finished the last of the nine books in your Wilmington Series via my Kindle. Greatly enjoyed all of them. Are there any more to come? Especially liked the descriptions of the various foods available in Wilmington - makes one want to run right up here. Best wishes for future literary efforts." William "I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! I just finished reading your ninth book. I was thrilled to see on your web page that you are writing a tenth! I've come to feel that I really "know" the characters, and enjoy reading about historic Wilmington. I've also fallen in love with the characters, and feel as if I know them as friends. I can't wait till your next in the series. Don't ever stop!" Kathy "I am a huge fan of your books. I've read all of this series so far. Please don't stop writing this series. You've done such good character development that the readers want these gals to go on and have new adventurer in their married lives. I truly enjoy your stories, please keep going. Thank you," Jan "I finished Christmas Wedding yesterday evening and I really loved it. You did a great job with the characters and elements of surprise as well as keeping it believable. I enjoy the historical information you include, it makes me want to come further south the next time we come to the Outer Banks. I have started "Murder at the Bellamy Mansion" and have to really restrain myself to not let my work go and just sit and read. " Mary Ann "My mother and I are huge fans of your Magnolia Mysteries book series! We live in Indiana. I have read all of the books that you have written so far, and I was wondering if there will be another book? Thank you for writing your books...they have given me a lot of good entertainment!" Haley "I just finished the last of the Magnolia Mysteries, when are you going to write more? I love the characters and the settings. You can't just leave your readers guessing about what Melanie, Ashley, Scarlett and the rest will do with all the gold coins they found. Please continue the series. A true fan." Lucie

Historic preservationist Ashley Wilkes finds her friend Valentine Russo murdered at the desk of Valentine's art gallery, and the walls bare of art.

"As one of Wilmington's most enthusiastic historical preservationists, Ashley Wilkes is thrilled when her Victorian home makes the annual Candlelight Tour. Unfortunately, the glowing romantic perfection of her old Southern gem is spoiled by the dead body sprawled next to the fireplace. The case appears cut-and-dried. The weapon was in the hands of Ashley's friend and father figure, Professor Binkie Higgins. Besides, everybody knows how much Binkie hated the victim-an enmity dating back to a deeper mystery, the Atlantic Coast Line's forty-year-old payroll robbery. But what begins as an effort to clear Binkie's name becomes a dangerous excavation of old motives and newer bodies, each falling close to home. Close enough to tell Ashley that digging up dirt is a surefire way to get one foot-or more-in a grave."--BOOK COVER.

While refurbishing the house of a Civil War Blockade runner, historic preservationist Ashley Wilkes becomes involved in a mystery that links the life of Captain Pettigrew with a modern-day treasure hunt, and murder.