Ember Rose thought covering a magical sand-sculpture competition for the local newspaper would be a pleasant change from murder investigations. Then a spectacular sculpture becomes the scene of a very real crime.
When young elf Grover Maitland is found dead, what initially looks like an isolated tragedy quickly becomes something far more sinister. Grover had recently been behaving unlike himself—missing assignments, plagiarizing schoolwork, losing sleep, and becoming increasingly defensive.
Ember starts asking questions.
Her investigation leads from Starry Hollow's schools to its magical businesses and eventually to an innocent-looking ceramic garden gnome. What could a garden decoration possibly have to do with a teenager's death?
Quite a lot, as it turns out.
Soon Ember uncovers a trail involving dangerous plants, secret deliveries, young people caught in something far beyond their control, and adults whose secrets are much darker than they appear. Even a charming garden center and a mysterious sorcerer become pieces of the puzzle.
With the killer closing ranks, Ember must risk more than her reputation to uncover the truth.
In Starry Hollow, even the cutest garden gnome might be hiding something deadly.