Dead Magnolias — M.L. Gamble

Past sins haunted the South....

In the steamy dog days of an Alabama August, P.I. Teresa Worth struggled with her cases. Her kidnapped daughter remained top priority - then came hit-and-run murders, petty thieves and men like Wells Talmadge.

The born-and-bred rebel took his stand in a vice-ridden stronghold of antebellum power, where gambling and illicit love affairs were tolerated. But now, people associated with Well's family were vanishing...or dead.

Caught between blood ties and justice, Wells meant to beat Teresa to the murderer. Instead, she led him toward the dark truths that would tear his world asunder...and toward the moment when she might reclaim her daughter.

Wells had underestimated Teresa, but she had misjudged his powers, too - not of money and prestige, but of caring and seduction.