In the shadowed corners of West Sound, a lethal concoction of drugs claims its victims with ruthless efficiency—four lives extinguished in as many days.Detective Jefferson Hughes follows the deadly trail. What starts as a seemingly routine case tied to the city's homeless population takes an ominous turn when a lifeless body surfaces in a wealthy golf course community.Meanwhile, middle school teacher MJ Brooks senses a troubling change in one of her students. When the girl vanishes without a trace, MJ embarks on a personal crusade to uncover the truth. Soon her investigation intertwines with Hughes' pursuit, revealing a web of deception and danger.In a reluctant alliance, Hughes and MJ find their paths converging once more. However, as the urgency to solve the mystery escalates, so does the magnetic pull between them, binding their fates in ways neither anticipated.As the stakes rise in Book Two of the...

In a game where love is weaponized, trust becomes fatal.In West Sound, where Pacific Northwest charm meets small-town secrets, middle school teacher MJ Brooks runs a digital literacy club connecting students with senior citizens. When she suspects an adult student is falling victim to an online romance scam, her intervention reveals a much more dangerous scheme.A retired detective's sudden death, initially deemed natural, takes a darker turn when Detective Hughes discovers unexpected connections to MJ's student. When a body surfaces at Shopside Docks, with links to the deceased detective, it becomes clear something much more sinister is at play.As MJ and Jefferson investigate, their own unresolved romantic tension heightens the stakes of an already treacherous investigation.With a Christmas snowstorm descending on West Sound, the senior center prepares for a holiday charity ball, and MJ and Jefferson must unravel a complex web of digital...

On the hauntingly beautiful shore of the Puget Sound, an explosion rips through city hall and shatters a once-peaceful community. Teacher MJ Brooks narrowly escapes the devastation, but not everyone in West Sound, Washington, is so fortunate. Among the casualties is her school's principal, a man who was not just her boss but also a cherished mentor and friend. Now, MJ is on a relentless quest to unveil the dark secrets behind the explosion and the principal's murder. Her pursuit of the truth draws the attention of Detective Jefferson Hughes, who finds her interference frustrating. However, as MJ's connections with former students provide vital clues, Hughes realizes he can no longer ignore her. Deep down, he fears MJ's unyielding determination might place her in the killer's crosshairs, a concern that troubles him more than he cares to admit. Can MJ and Jefferson come together to uncover the truth before the killer claims more victims...