When mystery bookstore owner and amateur sleuth Tricia Miles throws a housewarming party in her new apartment and cooks all the food by herself, it's quite a feat for someone who previously couldn't boil water. After one of her guests is poisoned and dies, though, Tricia's left to wonder if her cooking is to blame or if there's something much more sinister at play. Either way, Tricia's once again in hot water with her ex-lover, Chief Baker. Meanwhile, in the race for Stoneham's Chamber of Commerce president, Tricia is pitted against two bitter rivals. With all that's going on in this 12th case (after A Just Clause), can she find the killer and a gang of vandals?