Winner of the Malice Domestic Award for Best New Traditional Mystery. 'A cozy with some sharp edges . . . This strong start augurs well for future books in the series.' Publishers Weekly

????? 'Engaging, funny, poignant.' Terri

????? 'A classic southern story.' Donna

Please note this book was previously published as Southern Fried.

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

Attorney Avery Andrews has returned to her humdrum hometown of Dacus, South Carolina, leaving her job at a powerful law firm in the rearview mirror.

But with her Donna Karan suits she's struggling to fit back in. Is it still a place she's able to call home now that she's swapped her prestigious clients for high school bullies and formidable aunts?

She finds sanctuary in her grandfather's cabin on Luna Lake until police arrive to investigate a mysterious rumor.

But more than secrets lie beneath the dark surface of Luna Lake . . .

A body is pulled out of the murky waters and Avery finds herself drawn into the investigation.

She soon discovers that her hometown is a hotbed of murder and secrets - and she is at the center of it.

But can Avery uncover the killer before anyone else gets hurt?

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

MEET OUR ATTORNEY SLEUTH Avery Andrews is a thirty-something lawyer whose moral code wouldn't let her allow an expert witness to lie on the stand, even to win her case. She's lost her job as a malpractice defense attorney with a large city firm and has returned to her humdrum hometown to figure out what she does next. Her family wants her to stay, but she's not so sure that's a good idea.

THE SETTING The Blue Ridge Mountain Mysteries are small-town Southern US mysteries, a love letter to the author's hometown - though with the outrageousness ramped up and the crimes more twisty than what really happens. South Carolina is a tiny state but boasts much variety, from the southern reaches of the Appalachian Mountain chain in the northwest corner to historic Charleston on the coast, which is a mix of 17th and 18th century Europe and the Deep South. The importance of family and good food welcome readers into the warm - and sometimes deadly - embrace of the South.

ALSO BY CATHY PICKENS BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN MYSTERIES Book 1: MURDER AT LUNA LAKE Book 2: MURDER AT FOLLY BEACH CREEK Book 3: MURDER AT GOLDEN COVE FOREST

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