Ellie Avery and her husband, Mitch, travel to Smarr, Alabama, to attend the funeral of Mitch’s grandfather. But as soon as they arrive in the small town, questions arise. Why did Franklin Avery’s body disappear from the funeral home? Did he die of natural causes— or was it foul play?

Turns out there are plenty of family members who might have wanted to speed up Franklin’s demise. Ellie and Mitch seek distraction in Smarr’s book festival—and that’s where the real troubles start. As Southern cooking collides with literary passions, Ellie discovers a secret bundle of letters from a famous writer. But her snooping will also bring her face-to-face with a killer whose murderous rage is entering a new chapter…