Gumbo Justice

While teaching her teenage daughter, Britt, to drive, Harley enjoys the beautiful Colorado landscape until her life takes an instantaneous, surprising turn. Driving their Mini Cooper, Britt hits a pedestrian, a local algebra teacher who suddenly appeared on the road. Investigators on the scene report that the victim had already been shot shortly before impact, but when Britt is later erroneously charged with the man?s homicide and that of another person, Harley is compelled to take action.

What to do? Enter James Prescott, author of the biography of the late and not particularly lamented media mogul, Maxwell "Mad Max" Winston. Winston's life was filled with blackmail, jilted lovers, libel suits, and mysterious death. Just the ticket for a show dedicated to mysteries right?

Not necessarily. Winston died in 1980 so there are still plenty of people around who have long memories and big grudges, not to mention personal agendas. Yes, there are many people who would have preferred James not write his book.

On a Friday evening driving lesson with her lover, Lt. Mike Robb, Boulder Police, she sees eyes gleaming from unused FITT land. Investigating the eerie eyes, they find a donkey confined inside a fence that barely encloses an old gravel-mining pond.

Mike doesn?t share Sadie?s concern about the donkey until the next day, when a body is found in the pond, apparently kicked to death. Her insistence on the donkey?s innocence lands Sadie squarely in the sights of the murderer.