Octogenarian Paul Jacobson, who suffers from short-term memory loss, discovers a body stuffed in the trash shoot of his retirement home. Jacobson's running narrative (he writes a journal to stay current with his present-day life) is both humorous and heartbreaking. --

Glassblower Emmeline Dowell has made a home for herself among the artists of Tucson's Warehouse District. With a weakness for taking in strays from homeless dogs to extra students, Emmeline can't help befriending troubled newcomer Allison McBride. But their friendship takes a dangerous turn when Em finds Allison's husband in the studio - dead. And when the killer acts again, it's up to her to pick up the shards of Allison's life before it's too late....

Meg Langlsow volunteers to help her parents when the Caerphilly Garden Club sponsors its first annual rose show. But after a few hours of dealing with her parents' competitors, Meg is worried--someone is attempting to kill the wealthy woman on whose estate the competition is being held. Could it be one of the eccentric rose growers after the coveted Black Swan trophy? Or one of the animal welfare activists--which includes Meg's zoologist grandfather--resorting...

A widow tries to rebuild her life only to have her past come back to haunt her. After the mysterious death of her husband leaves her broke and floundering, MaryBeth Cashour moves to Sandy Shores Island. Her mother, who died from cancer soon after Bernie disappeared, has left her not only the paperwork showing that she was adopted, but enough money to purchase a Christmas shop. MaryBeth has no relatives or friends and not much self-esteem, but all...