When Trish Gambone struts into up-andcoming attorney Mary DiNunzio's office, she brings back a flood of memories. In high school, Trish and her friends wouldn't give Mary the time of day. But those days are long gone, and Trish needs Mary's help to get out of a deadly predicament.

It's 1949 in south Philadelphia. Diligent, hard-working, and proud, the Palazzinis have built a solid life for themselves and their three sons. Now that World War II is over, their sons, each one a decorated veteran, have returned home to the family cab company, to rejoin their world as it was before they left. But their future and fortunes are forever changed by a telegram, and the nephew who delivers it.

When Martin Grace enters the hip Philadelphia coffee shop Cornelia Brown manages, her life changes forever. But little does she know that her newfound love is only the harbinger of greater changes to come. Meanwhile, across town, Clare Hobbs-eleven years old and abandoned by her erratic mother-goes looking for her lost father. She crosses paths with Cornelia while meeting with him at the cafe, and the two women form an improbable friendship that carries...

Amanda's friend Sasha's stepmother has just committed suicide-although, according to Sasha, Phoebe Ennis would never have killed herself, especially not while having a drink and wearing a red silk blouse and red sandals with four-inch heels. Amanda isn't persuaded, but reluctantly agrees to help investigate the woman's demise, though the evidence for foul play is slim. True, the middle-aged compulsive collector of knickknacks wasn't universally loved....

Kate White, single mother and assistant Philadelphia DA, must fight for her life and the life of her son as the terrible events of her past return with a vengeance and the only hope she seems to have lies with homicide detective Tom Braga--a man she has no reason to trust.