Sapelo Island

Stella Bankwell and the gang are back, and this time there's a murder. It couldn't have happened in a more beautiful place than the historical Georgia barrier island of Sapelo, where wildlife flourishes and the ocean vistas are both breathtaking and calming. Adding to Sapelo's charm is that it is only reachable by ferry or speedboat. This new adventure begins with a corporate retreat at the home bought by R.J. Reynolds Jr. from Sea Island founder and Hudson car executive Howard Coffin. The mansion, set among gorgeous oaks hanging heavy with moss, is the perfect setting for a Southern Gothic tale of murder: one present day, the other a century old. When Mrs. Puckett, the housekeeper for former governor McCager Burnett and his lovely wife, Alva, asks Stella and the dashing US Marshal Jack ""Pepper"" Culpepper to help her nephew who is being falsely accused of the recent crime, they eagerly rush to the rescue. Returning in this second installment of the Stella Bankwell Mystery series is the delightful Chatham Balsam Colquitt IV, aka Chatty. This scion of tremendous, old Southern wealth is about to get his shoes muddy for the first time and he almost comes undone. One thing is for sure: Chatty can always be counted on for a good dose of laughter. Rounding out the squad is McCager ""Cage"" Burnett, who throws in his powerful connections and legal expertise as one of Atlanta's most noted attorneys. Don't worry, though. Our favorite redhead and her close friends are up for this mind-boggling challenge.