Maid of Honor — Charlotte MacLeod

A young woman must escape family conflict -- and find her own identity -- in order to track down a thief in this novel by an acclaimed mystery writer. -- Persis Green's existence has been overshadowed by the looming prospect of her older sister's wedding. Her family was once normal -- boring, but normal. Then the engagement was announced and all hell broke loose. Now, Persis's father acts like a zombie at dinner parties, her mother goes from zero to shrieking in seconds, and her sister is utterly self-absorbed.

When Persis wins a statewide piano competition and a scholarship to a prestigious music conservatory, her big news is pushed aside. In addition to the general chaos of the impending nuptials, one of her sister's wedding gifts, a wildly expensive piece of jewelry, has disappeared.