Cardinal Sin — J.R. Ripley

Birds & Bees owner Amy Simms will need help from her fine-feathered friends when an uncommon bird sighting plunges her into a hornet's nest of black magic and murder most foul . . .

Amy's enjoying a rare moment of relaxation when a customer shows up seeking her expertise in ID-ing an unusual bird she's seen flying around her wooded cabin at the edge of town. Ruby Lake, North Carolina, newcomer Yvonne Rice resembles an exotic bird herself-apparently the kind that doesn't fly. When she's found shot to death in her locked cabin, the only witness found is a statue of a voodoo deity staring down from the mantel.

Does the rare yellow cardinal Yvonne spotted hold any clues to her demise? What about the Ouija board spelling out the words I am murdered? As Amy delves deeper into Yvonne's life and meets her strangely secretive neighbors, she's determined to stop a fowl-hearted murderer from migrating to a new killing ground . . .