Hour of the Knife — Sharon Zukowski

Blaine Stewart found work and self-pity moderately effective ways to cope with her husband's death. As a result, business was booming at her Manhattan investigations firm. Tough, tenacious, burned out, she was getting on everybody's nerves - including her own. A trip to the Carolina coast was going to give her the chance to tie up a case and then the time to catch some R and R.

But when her client - and friend - was found dead in the marsh, Blaine started asking questions - about a five-million-dollar life insurance policy, a failing company and dirty doings in Dolphin Beach, such as fraud, narcotics, corruption and murder. Vacations had never agreed with Blaine anyway and this one wasn't about to change her mind - especially when it was highly likely it would be her last!