Caroline Venable has everything her Southern heritage promised: money, prestige, a powerful husband-and a predictable routine of country-club luncheons, cocktail parties, and dinners hosting her husband's wealthy friends, clients, and associates in his successful land-developing conglomerate. To escape her stifling routine, Caro drinks a little too much. But her true solace is the Lowcountry island her beloved Granddaddy left her-an oasis of breathtaking...

When residents clash with a powerful development agency, year-round islander J. W. Jackson becomes embroiled in the conflict. After one company executive is shot at and another is stabbed to death, J. W. has to take action to restore peace.

Popular bookseller Bruce Cable tells Mercer Mann an irresistible tale that might be the basis for her next novel. A giant resort developer is using its political muscle and deep pockets to claim ownership of a deserted island between Florida and Georgia. However, the last living inhabitant of the island, Lovely Jackson, stands in its way. What the developer doesn't know is that the island has a remarkable history, and locals believe it is cursed,...