San Miguel de Allende is a picturesque town in central Mexico’s highlands that attracts artists, retirees, and those in need of some rest and relaxation. So when publisher Vaughan Buckley and his wife, Olga, invite Jessica to join them for a little R & R, she jumps at the opportunity to spend time basking in the sun and enjoying Mexican culture with her friends.

But there are those who don’t share Jessica’s appreciation for the arts. Ruthless kidnappers abduct Vaughan and demand a considerable ransom for his safe return—or else Olga will be made a widow. Jessica can’t imagine why local criminals would be interested in Vaughan. To solve the mystery, she turns her attention to his friends in San Miguel—friends who don’t appreciate Jessica poking her nose into their business....

PERMANENT VACATION?

All thoughts of having a quick lunch evaporated a few minutes later when a mariachi band stepped onto the terrace. I ate and listened to the band members as they threaded their way among the umbrellas to serenade each of the tables.
 The music helped ease the tension of my hectic last few weeks. It was nice to be on vacation. I love to travel, but book tours can be exhausting. While I enjoy meeting new people, especially readers, and seeing new places, it’s always a pleasant prospect to contemplate a few weeks with nothing specific to do but sit back and relax. No notes to take, no schedules to meet, no rush to catch another plane.
 Vaughan and Olga were the perfect hosts. They insisted I use their home as if it were mine. They had promised that I wouldn’t be in their way. “We’ll even ignore you, if that’s what you want.” Which, of course, wasn’t what I wanted at all. What I did want was time. Time to renew our acquaintance. Time to stretch out with a book. Time to take leisurely walks in a charming town. Just a peaceful vacation with old friends. It sounded wonderful.
But I was in for a rude awakening...