A Black small business owner is kidnapped. Why?

Lyla Lawal, the African American owner of the local diner, doesn't show up one day. Her long-time employee Sally is concerned. Her boss has never missed a day's work in her life. Sally calls her husband, Miles O'Malley, well-known action novelist and incidental crime-fighter. When Miles first arrived in this small upstate town, Lyla's sandwiches were one of the chief attractions—well, that and the waitress Sally's short skirts.

The police aren't interested, so Miles starts his own investigation. A call to Lyla's brother in Nigeria sends him to New York City to talk to his mob boss buddy. The trail leads to the Russians in Brighton Beach and back upstate to the Adirondack State Park. Meanwhile, the resourceful Lyla is proving well capable of looking after herself.

This story of kidnapping, poisoning, and an (almost!) classic shoot-out, involves a strong woman who is a match for those who wish her harm, and also demonstrates the enduring power of friendship.

Though it brings in characters from the previous two Miles O'Malley books, this last story in the series can be listened to as a standalone. Like one of Lyla's famous soups (which features in the story), get it while it's hot!