Now an adult working for a public relations firm that specializes in smoothing over the raw edges for celebrities, athletes, and politicians when some of the seamier details of their private lives have become all too public, Maggie is beginning to earn enough money to keep her head above water. As a new recruit low level employee, Maggie is surprised when the upper management requests her help on a difficult case. Their client in need is none other than Henry Paxton, father of her best friend Anabelle. It seems Senator Paxton has been accused of having an affair with a young aide. The situation becomes more complicated when said aide is found murdered.

Since Maggie and Anabelle have not seen each other for years and parted company under strained circumstances, Maggie is not sure she wants to be involved in the case. She reluctantly agrees because she needs the income. Her mother, who has no substantial income of her own, has been battling cancer and the treatments are expensive. Maggie is forced to revisit her past while doubting the integrity of some of the senior members of the firm by whom she is employed.

While the circumstances of the plot are intriguing, Maggie is predictable in her desire to always chose to put herself in harm's way with no apparent regard to the consequences. These situations provide tension and excitement, but Maggie is supposed to be a smart cookie so why is she making such bad choices? In addition, she often asks herself questions about the developing case that readers should be asking themselves. Many devout mystery readers may find themselves feeling denied the challenge of formulating these questions for themselves.

In another circumstance reporters are liken to pack animals. The animal chosen to represent the pack animal is a goat. Goats, however are not pack animals but prey animals. Animals which hunt in packs such as wolves hunt goats which cluster together to avoid being preyed upon. The concept of the leader of the pack being followed by less dominant animals is a good one. The choice of animal is not.

The explanation of the killer's motive is a long winded and is difficult for the reader to unearth given the facts that had heretofore been presented. Even Maggie, despite knowing most of the principal players, is in the dark about some of the facts. Though the solution is plausible, it is not as satisfying as one where all the clues are there if you are clever enough to notice them.

--Andy Plonka