Josie Marcus is a 31-year-old single mother living in St Louis, Missouri with her 9-year-old
daughter, Amelia. She shares a house with her mother, Jane, who disapproves of Josie's
occupation ( a mystery shopper) and wants her to have a steady career working in a bank.
Josie's boss, Harry, assigns her to a mystery shop: the Danesse stores for the Cresham
conglomerate, which is considering buying the Danesse stores. Josie finds many faults
in the various stores and submits an unfavorable report.
Danesse Celedine is a high profile local beauty who has made many charity donations.
Her handbags sell for $2000 to $5000 each. With her Russian lover, Serge they shine on
the local social scene. Danesse is incensed by Josie's report, which has an adverse effect
on the purchase. In a confrontation in Harry's office there is a fierce verbal battle
between Danesse and Josie.
When Danesse is found strangled with a $2700 snake skin belt Josie becomes a prime
suspect. She had tried on the belt in one of Danesse's stores and her fingerprints are
found on it. Josie must find the elusive Russian Amazon saleswoman Marina, who had handled
the situation. The search for Marina and further investigations of Serge and Marina is
assisted by her close friend, Alyce Bohannan.
Further complicating her life is her problems with her mother who has become an addict
of the Home Shopping Network, and who keeps pushing Stan, their needy neighbor. Also she
finds a growing attraction to Josh, the younger man who runs the coffee shop
This is the story about a capable independent woman who will go her own way while struggling
to keep her life with her daughter and mother on an even keel. The action is even paced
with characters you would like to know. The relationships between Josie and her mother,
with her daughter, her friend Alyce and Josh are realistic and engaging. The story is
a delight to read with clever dialogue and fast paced action.