A Path Through the Ashes

Claire Marshall's world crumbled when her husband died in a fire. Emotionally fragile but determined to move forward, she buys into a small company that restores historic houses in New Orleans. Then, one of her clients is found dead in a burned building. The police suspect her of arson or murder, maybe both. No one believes that her relationship with the late Frank Palmer was strictly business. After all, he spent his last days telling the world they were in love and planning to marry. How can Claire win an argument with a dead man? Some of the mess is her own fault. Finding the charred ruin of Frank's cabin in a remote corner of Louisiana's bayou country revived horrible memories of her husband's death. She suffered a panic attack. Calling the sheriff hours later wasn't good enough. Claire's quest to prove her innocence before the police "prove" her guilt becomes an investigation into Frank's life. Why did he lie about their relationship? Why would someone want to kill him? Finding the answers brings her face to face with the real killer - and with her own worst fears. A Perfect Victim is the first book in a trilogy set in pre-Katrina New Orleans. Each book stands alone as a mystery story; together they trace Claire's journey through grief to happiness.