When she is dismissed from her job without explanation, Jordan Bingham, researcher for the reclusive book collector Vera Van Alst, must save her former employer from a mysterious new visitor who has designs on her money, property and Nero Wolfe first editions. Vera Van Alst doesn't normally receive visitors without appointment, but she agrees to see the imperious Muriel Delgado upon arrival. Shortly thereafter, Jordan Bingham is told that her position...

"Brooklyn Wainwright is a skilled surgeon. Sure, her patients might smell like mold and have spines made of leather, but no ailing book is going to die on her watch. The same can't be said of Abraham Karastovsky, Brooklyn's friend and former employer. On the eve of the celebration for his latest book restoration, Brooklyn finds her mentor lying a pool of his own blood. With his final breath, Abraham leaves Brooklyn a cryptic message, 'Remember the...

"Jordan works hard to improve Vera Van Alsts collection of classic detective stories. So when Chadwick Kauffman--heir to the Kauffman fortune--offers a very good price on a fine collection of Ngaio Marsh first editions owned by his recently deceased stepfather, she is thrilled to meet with him at his fabled summer estate, Summerlea. The next day, Jordan and Vera are shocked to read that Chadwick has died in a fall from the grand staircase at Summerlea....

"Book restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright is attending the world-renowned Edinburgh Book Fair when her ex, Kyle McVee, shows up with a bombshell. He has an original copy of a scandalous text that could change history and humiliate the beloved British monarchy. Trying to get Kyle's story out of her mind, Brooklyn takes a nighttime tour of the city. Unfortunately, the first landmark contains a real dead body: Kyle's. Now Brooklyn is a suspect, and...

"Lord Godfrey Cavanaugh has no thoughts of marrying as he drives into North Yorkshire on a plum commission for the National Gallery to authenticate a Renaissance painting the gallery wishes to purchase. Then a snow storm sweeps in, and Godfrey barely manages to haul himself, his groom, and his horses to their destination. Elinor Hinckley, eldest daughter of Hinckley Hall, stalwart defender of the family, right arm to her invalid father, and established...

As a warm ocean breeze ruffles the tall grass along Rocky Point's sandy dunes, Josie Prescott visits the house of a wealthy local couple, Edwin and Ava Belcher. She's been called in to appraise their Tiffany lamp, which everyone is delighted to find is genuine. Josie's good friend, Police Chief Ellis Hunter, is helping prepare for her annual Fourth of July barbeque when he gets a call that Ava has been murdered. Unable to reach Edwin, Ellis asks Josie...

"Ana Yartsin is on the verge of becoming a celebrity chef. Her custom Faberge egg-shaped cakes have brought her national attention, as has the story behind the cakes: her family owns the spectacular Faberge spring egg snow globe, a magnificent example of the master craftsman's work that includes five ruby-red tulips. As she prepares to be filmed for a reality TV show about the launch of her bakery in Rocky Point, New Hampshire, Ana hires antiques...