The promise of discretion and pampering - and a longer 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 NAKED CAME THE MANATEE and THE FLOATING ADMIRAL, each chapter in this serial novel is written by one of today's most talented mystery novelists. NEVADA BARR's ninth and latest in her Anna Pigeon series is BLOOD LURE. 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 JUDGMENT IN DEATH. NANCY PICKARD is the author of the popular Jenny Cain mystery series. LISA SCOTTOLINE is a New York Times bestselling author of legal thrillers, most recently THE VENDETTA DEFENSE and MOMENT OF TRUTH. 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: twelve books featuring Detective J.P. Beaumont and nine with Sheriff Joanna Brady. FAYE KELLERMAN is the New York Times bestselling author of the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus mystery series. 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. MARCIA TALLEY is the author of UNBREATHED MEMORIES and the award-winning SING IT TO HER BONES. 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. DIANA GABALDON's THE FIERY CROSS, fifth in the Outlander series, is due to be published late this year. VAL McDERMID has published fifteen 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.