Nothing warms the heart like romance - even as the raw, cold winds of January chill the residents of Broward's Rock to the bone. But it's more than amore that intrigues mystery bookstore owner Annie Darling and her husband, Max, when wealthy, widowed art patron Virginia Neville announces engagement to Jake O'Neill, her handsome, charming, and much younger fiance, at a gala opening at the Neville gallery. Virginia's joyful announcement leaves many of the gathered - especially certain members of her resentful extended stepfamily - quite peeved. And one of the guests takes the news harder than the rest: before the last champagne bubble pops, murder disrupts the grand celebration.

Quickly deputized by Acting Police Chief Billy Cameron, troubleshooter Max Darling dives headfirst into the icy investigative waters, leaving wife Annie somewhat out in the cold. But since her young assistant, Chloe, is a prime suspect - and one of Jake O'Neill's most recent broken hearts - Annie is determined to untangle the unholy marriage of jealousy, blackmail, gunplay, and malicious mischief...even if it means crossing swords with hubby Max and placing herself in the perilous path of a cleverly sadistic stalker.