When a young woman disappears while walking along a local country road, the sleepy little town of Mesa Grande is plunged into chaos. Mystery buff Lake Anderson, vigorous in her sixties, thinks she may have a lead in the case, but a vicious attacker could end her sleuthing career before it can begin.

Lake is perturbed when she hears of the disappearance of Sandra Molina. Having once lived in the same neighborhood as the Molinas, she can't imagine something so dangerous happening in her community.

But that isn't the last of the crimes. When Lake and her friend Claire are attacked while working at Village Stationers, Lake can't help but wonder if it's somehow connected to Sandra's disappearance. Meanwhile, an eccentric customer is making both women uneasy, and rumors begin flying around Mesa Grande. Why is the owner of the antique shop acting so strangely? And why has no one seen his brother for years?

Another ominous encounter at the annual Strawberry Festival becomes the first step in revealing a diabolical crime and horrifying cover-up. Join Lake and her friends in California's Central Coast area for this cozy mystery featuring a couple of close calls-and one very clever culprit.