New Bedford artist Anna Rendle, her husband in prison, begins a new life by selling her art, and teaching. When the bodies of several mutilated women are found, a terrified city goes into virtual lockdown living behind shuttered doors. Anna learns the victims are all named for jewels. How then can she and her buddy Joe protect her two students, Chrystal and Garnet, from harassment by a young thug and possible killer? Their friend Pearl is maimed at the Whaling Museum and soon after Anna's long lost kid sister Beryl arrives from California. Working as a nightclub stripper she is smitten by the attentions of a brutal lowlife calling himself Leonardo. How Anna and Joe bring the killer to justice will keep surprised readers on the edges of their seats.