After his first mystery series flops, struggling author Thad Griffin is about to throw in the towel. And then one night over Ramen noodles, he and his wife find a popular show about alligator hunting on TV. He suddenly has an idea. On a wing and a prayer, he takes his wife on a trip to the swamps of Louisiana, where he gathers an entire notebook of ideas while visiting the colorful towns of Galliano, Pointe-aux-Chenes, Bourg, Chauvin, and Cocodrie. He's so filled with inspiration that he pens the first book in his new Gator Haven mystery series within eight weeks of returning home. The series is an instant hit, and fame soon finds the author. Convincing his wife that he needs to be closer to his setting, he packs up the family and moves to Mechant Loup, Louisiana. They're not there three months when tragedy strikes. Members of the Mechant Loup Police Department respond to the scene and they find Griffin's wife dead in her own driveway - the victim of an apparent hit and run. Clint Wolf is lead on the case, but details are scarce and a motive seemingly nonexistent, so he'll need lots of help from his team. A stolen car and a gas receipt might provide some clues, but it'll take much more than a piece of paper to solve the mystery. Clint and company sift through lies, evidence, and manuscripts, but will it be enough? If they fail, it'll be too late for a second victim - and none of them want that loss on their conscience.