The Picolata Treasure — Ruth Burnett

The tempestuous elopement of a Pennsylvania soldier and a beautiful Florida girl of Spanish descent was responsible for Francesca Hoffman's strange inheritance more than a century later. Although pretty hazel-eyed Fran had been raised in Pennsylvania Dutch country by devout Mennonite parents, she had always kept in touch with her Cousin Ortego de la Picolata in Florida. When Ortego died, Francesca, the last of the Picolata's, inherited River House and her cousin's rambling 300-acre estate on the St. Johns River.

Dreaming of romance and adventure in the sultry Southern climate, Fran, accompanied only by her spinster aunt, left her parents' farm and headed for Florida. But when she and a timorous Aunt Cora arrived at the gracious mansion, the greeting they received was far from welcoming. Seemingly out of nowhere a poisonous snake appeared on the front steps and then was shot dead by a woman who materialized just as mysteriously--the strangest, dirtiest woman Fran had ever seen.

This was Fanita, a friend so dear to Ortego de la Picolata that her had guaranteed her a home on his estate for as long as she lived. Although assured by both Ortego's lawyer and excitingly handsome Monty Edwards that the bizarre woman was harmless, Fran nevertheless felt uneasy about her presence, especially after two more near-fatal "accidents." But if Fanita wished her no harm, then who did? And why?