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Ivy Malone is a middle-aged self-titled detective on the run for her life from a family called the Braxtons. They have already tried to burn down her house with her in it and have tried to blow up her car. Now, Ivy is traveling across the United States in her motor home, hiding out from the Braxtons and meeting unusual people along the way. She suddenly meets up with a young women in a desperate situation and welcomes her in to travel along with Ivy as they meander from one little town to another. Abilene is quiet and reserved, but the caring friendship from Ivy soothes her troubled spirit like balm on chapped lips. That and the strange feathered friends on the farm whom Abilene takes a certain liking to.

As they are trying to secure employment at one house set back in the bushes behind locked gates, they discover a couple of bodies. Immediately, Ivy puts on her detective hat and begins to collect clues and evidence. Luckily, Ivy and Abilene are hired to stay at the house and take care of it and the Emu’s in the back yard. Here, they have ample time to hide out and uncover clue after clue that things may not be as they seem. When they discover a stalker in the bushes, the mystery gets more intense and they fear for their lives.


This was a really great book and quite a departure from the author’s usual romance genre. However, there was a little bit of romance in this novel, too.


I thought the plot was terrific as it was fast paced and kept you guessing. There were several heart in your throat moments that thrilled the reader. The characters were colourful and interesting with several different levels of depth to them. I really appreciated the craft that went into this book. Well done, Ms. McCourtney! I can’t wait to read another Ivy Malone mystery!