Dead to the Bone — Nina Cordoba

Nick Owen is ready to move his relationship with Rika along, ASAP, but she decides she may need some qualified help before taking it to the next level. But when Nick catches her cheating, he knows she can't possibly care as much as he does and is ready to skip town. She'll have to summon all her courage and put everything on the line to try to keep him. Meanwhile, Rika's work dream has come true. Martin and Owen Investigations finally has an office in L.A. and Rika's publicity stunt is working. A pet plastic surgeon to the stars has been murdered and Nick and Rika are on the case. But did any of these wealthy suspects actually commit the murder? And with snakes and scimitars involved, will Nick and Rika live long enough to find out?