It’s Simmering Suspense Week at the Castleton Manor literary retreat in Lighthouse Bay, Massachusetts. Librarian Faith Newberry has her hands full with a week of author talks and signings planned. But when the bejeweled guest of honor, reigning queen of romantic suspense Gloria Bauer, clears out her luxurious suite and disappears without a trace, Faith must scramble to keep the manor’s other guests—and her cranky boss, Marlene Russell—satisfied with one less author.

Charlotte Jaxon, Castleton’s owner, thinks Gloria’s absence is all a stunt. Didn’t Agatha Christie do the same thing decades ago? But when both a ransom note and Gloria’s dog, Sir Arfer Conan Doyle, turn up, Faith quickly realizes the danger could be real. In exchange for Gloria’s safe return, the kidnapper wants not only the stunning diamond necklace the author stowed away in the manor’s safe, he also demands a priceless, one-of-a-kind handmade book from the library’s collection. Is it all a public spectacle, or has something royally dreadful happened to the author?

Despite Charlotte’s wishes, Faith begins to investigate. She can’t help but wonder if Charlotte knows more about the kidnapping than she is letting on. After all, publicity for Gloria is also publicity for Castleton Manor. Meanwhile, the remaining authors don’t seem all that concerned about Gloria being gone. Without her around, their stars will shine brighter than Gloria’s diamonds. And what about the disgruntled fan who seems more than a little obsessed with her favorite author? Any one of them, or the other castle guests, could be behind the plot.

To restore Gloria to safety, Faith will need all the help she can get from her best friends, tuxedo cat Watson and the trusty members of the Candle House Book Club. But can they find the interloping perpetrator before Gloria’s deposed—permanently?

Margaret Welch