In a plush Virginia office, a rich, angry old man is furiously rewriting his will. With his death just hours away, Troy Phelan wants to send a message to his children, his ex-wives, and his minions, a message that will touch off a vicious legal battle and transform dozens of lives.Because Troy Phelan\'s new will names a sole surprise heir to his eleven-billion-dollar fortune: a mysterious woman named Rachel Lane, a missionary living deep in the jungles of Brazil.Enter the lawyers. Nate O\'Riley is fresh out of rehab, a disgraced corporate attorney handpicked for his last job: to find Rachel Lane at any cost. As Phelan\'s family circles like vultures in D.C., Nate is crashing through the Brazilian jungle, entering a world where money means nothing, where death is just one misstep away, and where a woman - pursued by enemies and friends alike - holds a stunning surprise of her own.

Part thriller, part action adventure—this story is from the standpoint of a young woman who foils rape. It's 1963 and Inny spends a summer in her parents' new home in swank Montecito while waiting to finish her senior year at UC Berkeley. She's determined to graduate, but when a senator's stepson stalks her back to Berkeley, neither her family nor her first real love can protect her from the heart of darkness."Once I started reading this five-star novel, I couldn't put it down. What a riveting adventure of a young woman experiencing the best and worst of partying with some of the richest men in Montecito while determined to get her college degree and earn her own living. Her infectious optimism and ability to enjoy life is an inspiration. It's bigger than real life—full of lust, love, and compassion. I can't wait for the film version, but, in the meantime, every college girl should read this book!" - Alexis Rafael, author of Sex and the Cyborg Goddess.

From Publishers WeeklyFans of the late Virginia Rich's Eugenia Potter series (The Nantucket Diet Murders, etc.) will be pleased to learn that Genia is back, cooking and sleuthing up a storm in the coastal town of Devon, R.I., where she's come for the summer to help various needy family members, notably teenage great-nephew Jason, who may be violating his probation agreement after a marijuana conviction. Genia plans to host a special dinner party with an old friend and town leader, Stanley Parker, at her rented cottage, but when someone bashes in Stanley's head, Jason, alas, is way up on the suspect list. Investigating on her own, Genia learns that many Devon locals might be more comfortable with Stanley dead. A second murder thickens the broth. While the plot lacks suspense and the secondary characters tend to be caricatures (the flamboyant alcoholic, the devoted swain, etc.), Edgar Award-nominee Pickard, author of the Jenny Cain series, provides mouth-watering descriptions of such Rhode Island specialties as doughnuts and gingerbread, along with recipes for culinary delicacies like ginger carrot soup and lobster bisque. (The appealing cover art shows a lobster steaming in a pot on a stove.) A neat surprise ending is also a plus. Readers will be left licking their lips in anticipation of the next book in this savory series. (Jan. 9) FYI: After collaborating with Virginia Rich on one Eugenia Potter mystery, The 27-Ingredient Chili con Carne Murders, Pickard has continued the series on her own. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library JournalWhile visiting the Rhode Island coast, returning cook/sleuth Eugenia Potter (The 27-Ingredient Chili Con Carne Murders) cohosts a tasting party with an old acquaintanceAbut he's late. Unfortunately, someone (possibly Eugenia's great-nephew) has murdered the would-be cookbook writer. Inspired by the popular character created by Virginia Rich. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.