A poisoner is at work in Virginia City and people are dying without rhyme or reason. Cookie loving, Agatha Powell, wife of a wealthy businessman is the first to die. She won't be the last. As Charles Bowling, special assistant to Police Chief Dolan works with the Chief to unravel the mystery and catch a cruel killer, a beautiful box of deadly cookies is left for other unsuspecting victims.
Stopping the ruthless killer before he strikes again is the problem facing Charles-another is his amateur sleuth aunt Lottie and his housemates at Ducks and Deeks Boarding House. With murder in the offing, Lottie, Agnes, Sarah, Benjamin and Therese are determined to help Charles whether he wants their help or not. They mean well and occasionally they are helpful. But Charles, as he always does, must prevent them from interfering in his investigation so that he can stop the deadly poisoner in his tracks.