Now available for pre-order! Releasing on July 14, 2026.
Can a mystery writer and her agent solve a real-life cold case murder?
Cozy mystery writer Cat Summers has been trying to put the defining moment of her young adulthood behind her for the last two and a half decades. Her high school crush, Charlie Stiles, was murdered at a house party in senior year, and she knows more about what happened that night than she’s ever let on. Driven by grief and guilt, she’s moved away and changed her name and appearance. Now, someone’s figured out who she is and sent her three invitations to the Class of 2002’s 25-year class reunion.
On hearing of the reunion, Cat’s agent, Whitney Mowse, blithely suggests that the two attend, make discreet inquiries of the potential suspects, and solve the murder so Cat can write a sure-to-be bestselling first-hand account. There’s no way Cat’s agreeing to that…until she begins receiving messages accusing her of lying about her whereabouts at the time of the murder. She has to find out what the sender thinks they know. She agrees to Whitney’s plan, but her decision will put at risk old friendships, her carefully-constructed new identity, and even her life.
Note: This is an amateur sleuth mystery (not a cozy) with mature themes.
CONTENT WARNINGS:
Suicide, thoughts of suicide, murder, thoughts of murder, inappropriate relationships between teachers and students, underage drinking, underage sex, swearing, bullying, mental health issues, implied anorexia, body shaming, fighting, guns, implied emotional abuse, references to 9/11, references to drug use, blackmail
CAROL AYER 