by Marcia Mayo

Annabelle McGee is 50, divorced, and self-employed as the owner of The Artful Dodger, an art and frame shop she runs, sort of illegally, out of her house. Annabelle is the eccentric artist-in-residence for the small town of River's End, Georgia, who uses her shop primarily as a place to store salvaged junk for her outlandish creations. Her best friend, J.B. Jones, is black and urbane, a well-dressed complement to Annabelle's creative spirit and unconventional ways.The story begins with a visit from an old enemy, Phayla Eberhart, former queen of River's End High School, a user who exploited anyone to get what she wanted. Annabelle and J.B. are contemptuously amused when PhaPha leaves a ghastly painting for Annabelle to sell on consignment, but their derision quickly turns to revulsion when, a day later, PhaPha is found dead, laid out like a cold salami in the deli case of the local grocery store.As the story develops, many are suspected of the murder, some even seriously. PhaPha's bereaved husband keeps showing up at Annabelle's house, and PhaPha's Harley-riding, jailhouse-preaching sister tries to intimidate Annabelle in order to keep her from asking too many questions. Added to the mix are Charlie and Stella, Annabelle's pets, who provide a parallel universe. Last, and least, is Buster, Annabelle's ex, who conveniently happens to be the Chief of Police for River's End.