Claire and Present Danger — Gillian Roberts

Though she's engaged to the wealthy bachelor Leo Fairchild, nobody in Philadelphia knows a thing about Emmie Cade. As the marriage date approaches, Emmie's mother-in-law-to-be, Claire Fairchild, receives anonymous letters suggesting, none too subtly, that there's a great deal to learn about the mysterious young woman, much of it involving the violent deaths of the men in her life. Mrs. Fairchild hires Amanda Pepper and Amanda's new investigative partner, former homicide detective C. K. Mackenzie, to find out who the evasive Emmie Cade really is. Amanda is determined to prove herself an able investigator by ferreting out Emmie Cade's secrets, but almost immediately, instead of looking at events of the past, she's forced to deal with the here and now--including murder.