Mountain Laurel Lethal — Paul Buchanan

On a snowy, wintry day, Barron Docksteder's protégé uncovers a manuscript Docksteder was working on shortly before his untimely death. Clearly at least partly autobiographical, the manuscript tells the story of a world-famous author -- whose books have been turned into Hollywood blockbusters -- caught in a deadly crossfire between competing Las Vegas and East Coast gambling interests. Meanwhile, that same world-famous author is ensnared by the irresistible allure of a beautiful, mysterious, and equally deadly woman who is determined to outmaneuver them all. The central character of the story sounds a lot like, well, Docksteder himself before he was murdered. Could the manuscript be more proof that Barron Docksteder lived a life worth writing about?