Leland Munroe had worked as a prosecutor in Charleston, South Carolina for 16 years but as a widower he now lives with his teenage son Noah in the small town of Basking Rock. Simone Baker is an Instagram health and wellness influencer and at the insistence of her management company hosted a party at her home. The evening was a success but the morning after was inconceivable. Leland has received an appointment reminder indicating he has a Zoom meeting with Simone after seeing her on television with a powerhouse defense attorney in Charleston. Why has Simone requested a meeting with him? He can't think of a single reason.

Each reader has different preferences including if a series is read in order of publication or "out of order" perhaps as the title is available at their library. This novel can be read as a stand-alone but I suggest reading this series in order. As in real life, the characters are evolving as individuals, in relationship roles (i.e., father/son, colleagues), in work/life decisions, and hopes for the future. Peter Kirkland evolves his characters seamlessly throughout the storyline.

This is the not the 1st novel that I read that took place in 2020, but it is the 1st novel with the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the storyline in that year. Peter Kirkland wrote this flawlessly not as an add-in but as the natural course of events that his characters suddenly experienced as part of their daily life.

The authenticity the author brings to his writing instigated his 2nd novel to become an automatic pre-order. I'll definitely continue that action as I'm already looking forward to Leland's next case! ( )

WOW, I felt terrible about Simone being set up to take the fall for killing her childhood bully. Simone seemed sweet despite her disease, and was determine to fight the charges, and she fired her lawyer who wanted for her to take a plea bargain, and I cheered. I DID NOT LIKE HER SNAGGY LAWYER AT ALL. and I was glad that Leland Munroe and his PI, Terri took on her case! Book two kept my attention although I did not read book one, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR! ( )