The promise of discretion and pampering-and a long-overdue reconciliation with her mother-draws Caroline Blessing, the young wife of a newly-elected Congressman, to the fancy Phoenix Spa. But after her first night in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Caroline wakes to find the rich and famous guests in turmoil and under suspicion: the spa's flamboyant and ambitious owner has been murdered. As the secrets come out-and the body count rises, can Caroline keep herself from becoming the next victim?

In the tradition of such collaborative classics as Naken Came the Manatee and The Floating Admiral, each chapter in this serial novel is written by one of today's most talented mystery novelists.

The promise of discretion and pampering-and a long-overdue reconciliation with her mother-draws Caroline Blessing, the young wife of a newly-elected Congressman, to the fancy Phoenix Spa. But after her first night in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Caroline wakes to find the rich and famous guests in turmoil and under suspicion: the spa's flamboyant and ambitious owner has been murdered. As the secrets come out-and the body count rises, can Caroline keep herself from becoming the next victim?

Nevada Barr's ninth and latest in her Anna Pigeon series is Blood Lure, and she is now writing the tenth. She is published worldwide and has won the Agatha and the Anthony Awards and the Grand Prix des Romans d'Aventures.

J.D. Robb is the New York Times bestselling author of the futuristic romantic suspense series featuring Lieutenant Eve Dallas. Her most recent titles include Betrayal in Death and Judgement in Death.

Nancy Pickard is the author of the popular Jenny Cain mystery series and of a new series starring true crime writer Marie Lightfoot. Her books include Ring of Truth and The Whole Truth.

Lisa Scottoline is a New York Times bestselling author of legal thrillers, most recently The Vendetta Defense and Moment of Truth. She has won the Edgar and is published in over twenty countries.

Author of five New York Times bestselling novels, Perri O'Shaughnessy is really two sisters, Pamela and Mary, who collaborate on a series of legal thrillers and short stories.

J.A. Jance writes two police procedural series: 12 books featuring Detective J.P. Beaumont, and 9 with Sheriff Joanna Brady. She also has two Arizona-based thrillers: Hour of the Hunter and Kiss of the Bees.

Faye Kellerman is the New York Times bestselling author of the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus mystery series. She has also written a historical novel, The Quality of Mercy and Moon Music, a thriller. Her most recent novel is The Forgotten.

Mary Jane Clark is a producer and writer at CBS News, and the author of three media thrillers including Let Me Whisper in Your Ear, two of which were national bestsellers. Her fourth, Close to You, is due to be published in 2001.

Marcia Talley is the author of Unbreathed Memories and the award-winning Sing it to Her Bones. Her third Hannah Ives mystery, Occasion of Revenge is due to be published in 2001. She is also the editor of Naked Came the Phoenix.

Anne Perry, author of the acclaimed Victorian series starring William Monk and Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, has written over thirty novels, including The One Thing More. Her many awards include the Herodotus for Lifetime Achievement and the Edgar.

Diana Gabaldon's The Fiery Cross, fifth in the Outlander series, is due to be published late this year. She is also working on a contemporary mystery.

Val McDermid has published 15 novels and one work of non-fiction, and has won the Gold Dagger and the Grand Prix des Romans d'Aventures. Her most recent novel is A Place of Execution.

Laurie R. King writes two crime fiction series as well as stand-alone novels, most recently Folly. She has won the Edgar, the Creasey, and the Nero Wolfe awards and been nominated for many others. She is published in seventeen languages.