Death Sleeps Lightly — Rachel Cosgrove Payes

The two weeks she must wait before going south for her new job seemed endless to Jill Haynes, and throughout them she had tantalizing visions of what life would be as secretary to wealthy Celeste Weber at her luxurious island estate. She could see herself sunning lazily on white crescent beaches, dining at eight with candlelight and wine, listening to the sophisticated conversation of the Weber's and the guests that would no doubt be at Rickenbaugh Island. She felt certain that the duties of her job would be light and delightful -- and Celeste and Brett Weber might have a handsome, unmarried son.

But at last at Rickenbaugh Island, Jill saw how wrong her expectations had been. Meeting Celeste Weber for the first time, she was shocked at how utterly exhausted this still-young, once beautiful woman was. Her insomnia was not a matter of concern to the others at the island -- Brett, assorted impoverished relatives, and a glamorous friend, Florence Dowd. Rather, it provoked cruel derision, as did her obvious but unappreciated generosity, for it was Celeste who had all the money.

And at first Jill was disappointed that the only eligible man on the island was Tom McVaney, Celeste's chauffeur. Jill hadn't planned on a chauffeur, although she had to admit that Tom was more like her idea of a college man. She was soon to learn that he was not only good company, but a man she could well fall in love with.

A final family row over Celeste's insomnia and her money leads her to threaten to disinherit everyone on the island, and when the next morning, she is found dead, Jill is most grateful for the presence of Tom McVaney -- until even his actions become suspicious!