Hocus Croakus — Mary Daheim

With major renovations under way at Judith McMonigle Flynn's fire-gutted Hillside Manor B&B, the distressed hostess is joining her family at the Stillasnowamish Casino on Native American land. Instead of breathing in soot and plaster dust, she's enjoying (up to a point) the lavish in-house entertainment -- until the magic dies abruptly for master illusionist the Great Mandolini. The discovery of his attractive assistant (and ex-wife) skewered on one of his props has put a crimp in the magician's act, and Tribal Police Detective Jack Jackrabbit asks Judith's ex-cop spouse's help with the investigation. Hubby Joe wants his snooping wife and her cantankerous cousin Renie to steer clear. But all bets are off when Corpse Number Two materializes from among Mandolini's adoring oddball entourage. It's going to take serious sleight-of-hand to unravel this tangled rope trick -- and if the cousins aren't careful, they might end up being a killer's final act.