Checkmate

Angie Deacon has a new career, co-owner of Alton Bay, New Hampshire's community theater. Her first play Checkmate: Murder is in the works. She also has a new love--police detective Colby Jarvis. Jarvis loses a bet with fellow officers, and the payoff is, he's got to try out for a part in the play. He is "rewarded" with the part of co-star--coincidentally, or maybe not, he'll be playing the part of a burglarThings go well...until opening night when burglar Jarvis shoots the leading man. Who substituted Jarvis's real gun for the prop gun? How did they get it from his sock drawer? He bends under the tight scrutiny. But doesn't break. Why would anyone want the star dead? By day John is an unassuming nursery owner. Could his murder have anything to do with the fact that he's trying to breed an as-yet-undiscovered red iris?Angie helps dig into the clues to help new love interest Jarvis, but suddenly her clingy needy mom is in town. Maybe it's a good thing Jarvis's long-lost father has returned. He makes a good diversion for Mom. Can Angie and Jarvis find the real killer before he's ousted from the force? Before Angie's theater is closed down before the first performance? Before their parents drive them crazy?