CRIME AND CHERRY PITS

A family feud and romantic difficulties are just minor problems for an organic cherry grower confronted by murder.

Shiloh Bellamy, who gave up a career in Hollywood to take over the family farm in Michigan, has improved the orchard and even helped solve some murders, but she still has to contend with drama. Her father and uncle each inherited half the farm, and after her uncle died, his daughter, Stacey, sold their portion. Now Shiloh’s discovered some valuable stock certificates her grandmother had hidden before her death, and Stacey thinks she’s entitled to half the money, which she wants for her theatrical enterprises. Though Shiloh is willing, her father isn’t, and somehow Shiloh gets all the blame. The good news is that Shiloh’s been selected to have a booth at the Cherry Farm Market, which is a great honor. As Shiloh watches the cherry-spitting contest, Dr. Dane Fullbright, a teacher and actor who’s just had a nasty argument with Stacey, appears to choke on a pit. Shiloh tries the Heimlich maneuver but can’t prevent his death, which proves to have been no accident. Someone who knew about his penicillin allergy may have used Stacey’s pills to coat that pit, so Stacey naturally insists that Shiloh clear her name by investigating. Although Stacey infuriates Shiloh, she can’t believe her cousin’s a killer. The local law officers, meanwhile, get help from Antrim County Sheriff Milan Penbrook, with whom Shiloh has a tenuous romantic relationship. To prove Stacey innocent, Shiloh must dig into Fullbright’s past and uncover secrets that could provide a motive for murder.

A likable heroine once again proves her chops.