Death Swatch — Laura Childs

New Orleans knows how to party, and Mardi Gras is living proof. But when murder is added to this colorful collage, scrapbooking shop owner Carmela Bertrand starts fearing for her life...

Amid zydeco rhythms and popping champagne corks, Jekyl Hardy is hosting a party in his elegant French Quarter apartment. His guests -- including Carmela -- are in for a wild night, but never imagine it will include finding float designer Archie Baudier murdered on the balcony.

Even wilder than the crime are the far-flung theories about who did it. Handsome detective Edgar Babcock isn't buying any of them, and neither is Carmela. There are plenty of odd clues, but only one thing is clear: as Carmela follows the leads, whoever killed Archie is following her -- straight into the chaos of Mardi Gras.