"Plenty of charming characters, red herrings, labyrinthine twists and turns and brushes with death before you can even begin to guess whodunit" (Connie Archer, national bestselling author).

It's June in the quiet Los Angeles County city of Vista Beach, the place computer programmer and tole-painting enthusiast Aurora "Rory" Anderson calls home. Decorative painters are flocking to the newly built Akaw hotel to attend the Ocean Painting Society's inaugural convention.

During the weeklong event, Rory plans on shopping the trade show floor, working in her mother's booth, taking classes and connecting with other decorative painting fans. She doesn't expect to witness her childhood friend collapse in class and die. When the police find no evidence of foul play, Rory embarks on her own investigation. Can she brush aside the lies to uncover the truth and bring the killer to justice?

"A very good cozy that will keep you up at night until Rory finds out exactly what's going on." —Suspense Magazine

"An engaging mystery set amidst a painting convention and showcases the complexity of relationships when a tragedy strikes." —Christina Freeburn, author of Altered to Death