The New York Times bestselling author returns with a novel set in 1960s Baltimore that combines
modern psychological insights with elements of classic noir about a housewife turned aspiring
reporter who pursues the murder of a forgotten young woman In 1966 Baltimore is a city of
secrets that everyone seems to know?everyone that is except Madeline ?Maddie? Schwartz. Last
year she was a happy even pampered housewife. This year she's bolted from her marriage of
almost twenty years determined to make good on her youthful ambitions to live a passionate
meaningful life. Maddie wants to matter to leave her mark on a swiftly changing world. Drawing
on her own secrets she helps Baltimore police find a murdered girl?assistance that leads to a
job at the city's afternoon newspaper the Star. Working at the newspaper offers Maddie the
opportunity to make her name and she has found just the story to do it: a missing black woman
whose body was discovered in the fountain of a city park lake. Cleo Sherwood was a young black
woman who liked to have a good time. No one seems to know or care why she was killed except
Maddie?and the dead woman herself. Maddie sets out to find the truth about Cleo's life and
death but Cleo's ghost privy to Maddie's poking and prying wants to be left alone. Maddie's
investigation brings her into contact with people who used to be on the periphery of her life?a
jewelry store clerk a waitress a rising star on the Baltimore Orioles a patrol cop a
hardened female reporter a lonely man in a movie theater. But for all her ambition and drive
Maddie may fail to see the people right in front of her. Her inability to look beyond her own
needs could lead to tragedy and turmoil for all sorts of people?including the man who shares
her bed a black police officer who cares for Maddie more than she knows.
