Augusta Goodnight, that heaven-sent assistant to earthbound amateur sleuths, is back for her fourth appearance in Ballard's heartwarming tale (after 2002's Shadow of an Angel). Kate McBride and her young daughter are headed for a family reunion in Bishop's Bridge, N.C., while her estranged husband is in California for a professional conference. Nearing despair over the state of her marriage, and uncertain how to handle her daughter's truculent behavior, Kate frets over what to tell her inquisitive family members. The family is soon distracted from asking pointed questions about the absent husband when the housekeeper of Kate's great-uncle Ernest falls off a ledge and claims she was pushed. Kate doesn't want to think that someone in the family is a murderer, but aided by guardian angel Augusta and her clumsy trainee angel, Penelope, she looks for the answers to several questions. What really happened to Ernest's runaway wife, Rose? Or to the two hippies who disappeared many years ago? Can the current troubles be connected to those long-buried secrets? Ballard's warmth and compassion for her characters make this series a must for readers who like their mysteries on the cozy side. (July 7)
