Well-known Broadway playwright and TV producer Lyle Zacharias is throwing himself a lavish birthday party in his hometown of Philadelphia. Guests include his current wife, ex-wives, friends, former partners—not to mention Amanda Pepper and her own irrepressible mother, Bea. Yet when Lyle drops dead in the middle of a speech, it appears the likely perpetrator is none other than Bea, whose gift was fifty delicious, but apparently poisoned, tarts!

It’s up to Amanda to clear her mother’s name and find the real murderer…before he or she strikes again! But Amanda herself may be the next target! Who says teaching isn’t exciting? With any more excitement, Amanda will have to retire before she hits thirty-one…if she lives that long!