Seventy-plus Floridian Lorilee Porter is only allowed eight cats, per Homeowners' Association rule. But after Hurricane Ian, so many cats need a temporary home that she simply has to help out. If her nemesis neighbor Mitzi finds out Lorilee's cat count has doubled, she's sure to tell, but right now Mitzi is distracted. Her teenage son has been accused of home invasion and leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in a death, and Mitzi actually has the nerve to ask Lorilee to help clear his name.

With cats to hide and crimes to solve, Lorilee and Jess, her ward, are pretty busy. Once again they will find that amateur sleuthing can be dangerous—even deadly.