What if you lived in a small town, lose your job, and don’t see other employment options nearby? That was Melanie Perkins’ predicament when grouchy news publisher Hal Morris fired her because she took too many photos of flowers when she was supposed to concentrate on the story at hand. She lands work as a landscaper, but there’s an ugly surprise her first day at the new job.

At first no one thinks Melanie could be a killer. But when her hoe turns up in the same mulch pile as a body, the local sheriff isn’t so sure. Mel’s initially willing to let law enforcement clear her name, but the hoe and a nighttime assault convince Melanie she has to look out for herself.

Life along the Des Moines River in Iowa can be peaceful, but the murderer has no problem disturbing Melanie’s tranquility.

Humor and murder — and a cute terrier — feature in this first book in the River’s Edge cozy mystery series.