Heather Winslow knuckles under her mother’s pressure and has a coming out party after her college graduation.  She half heartedly agrees to be interviewed by Duke Fieldman.  Even though she is put off by his apparent disdain, she does find him rather pleasing to the eyes.  She works up the courage and asks him out on a date.  When she learns he wants to be a real reporter, not reporting the social column, the wheels start turning in her head, maybe there is a way to help him.

Heather and her two best friends, Lorna and Brittan solve some pretty high profile crimes, the ones the police are not able to.  Their calling card is a single red rose left with all the evidence the police need to capture the bad guys.

As they are in the midst of solving a murder, they continually cross paths with Duke, he wants to be the one who not only solves the crime but be the one to uncover the identity of The Rose.  Heather will need to only keep her relationship with Duke from her friends, but she also needs to steer Duke away from them to keep their secret quiet. 

This is the first book in a three book series by Debra White Smith.  At times the reader may find it hard to believe three society women can solve crimes the police can’t.  Despite this it’s still an enjoyable read.

June 26, 2008