"Someone is trying to kill me!" Rich philanthropist Miriam Weiden left these chilling words on Desiree Shapiro's answering machine just hours before she was murdered. Now two questions haunt Manhattan's plumpest PI: Why would anyone murder a wonderful woman like Miriam? And how could she--Desiree--have neglected to retrieve her messages in time to answer this desperate plea for help? So when Miriam's mother hires her to investigate Miriam's death, a guilt-ridden Desiree sees it as an opportunity to redeem herself in some small way.

Desiree soon discovers that the real Miriam was far different from the lady the world held in such high esteem. What's more, everyone from her long-time secretary to her former lover to her teenage daughter had reason to want this do-gooder gone for good. It will require all of Desiree's pit bull mentality, and some serious calorie consumption, to nab one very creative killer--and salve Desiree's conscience...