Overwhelmed by murder, a coroner-turned-sleuth fights to stay afloat in this hard-boiled mystery by the bestselling author of Dead Ringer.

As a single mom and deputy coroner of Sorenson, Wisconsin, Mattie Winston is used to her life being a juggling act. But now that she's moved in with Detective Steve Hurley and his teenaged daughter, and has started planning their wedding, her home life is looking more like a three-ring circus. At least her workload at the Medical Examiner's office is lightened by the new hire Hal Dawson. But before Hal can even cash his first paycheck, he's murdered on a fishing trip with his girlfriend, who's gone missing. To keep her life from going completely under, Mattie will have to dive deep for clues. But a killer is just as determined to keep the truth from ever surfacing . . .

Praise for Annelise Ryan and her Mattie Winston series

"The forensic details will interest Patricia Cornwell readers . . .while the often slapstick humor and the blossoming romance between Mattie and Hurley will draw Evanovich fans."—Booklist

"Sassy, sexy, and suspenseful."—Carolyn Hart

"Has it all: suspense, laughter, a spicy dash of romance."—Tess Gerritsen