Show Me the Ashes — Carolyn Mulford

A young barmaid confessed to killing an attacker and setting a fire to conceal that. Months later her dying mother begs ex-spy Phoenix Smith to prove Sheriff Annalynn Keyser's late husband prompted a false confession. Only identifying the real killer will free the daughter to care for her fatherless child.

Phoenix and singer Connie Diamante investigate but don't tell Annalynn, their lifelong friend. The investigation takes the women to the burnt-out bar and introduces them to families crippled by guilt and bigotry.

Annalynn recruits Phoenix and her dog, Achilles, to help capture a serial burglar. When someone tries to kill Phoenix and Achilles, she doesn't know which case puts her in danger. Phoenix must smoke out the killer to save her own and others' lives.