title: Murder Among Us: A Kate Austen Mystery
author:  Jonnie Jacobs 
description: Kate Austen, in her third appearance (after Murder Among Friends, 1995), seems almost too good-hearted to be an effective sleuth. But, as is quickly clear in this busy and intriguing tale, the well-mannered, compassionate high-school art teacher also possesses a steely determination. A serial killer is terrorizing Kate's tranquil San Francisco suburb. First, a young coed is found murdered in a city park, the killer leaving a distinctively grisly trademark. Then Julie, a talented and troubled student of Kate's, is killed in the same bizarre manner. Kate is in a unique position to aid the overwhelmed police, since she can tap into an array of high-school students who, although wary, still offer some insightful comments into Julie's tragic past (she is an orphan whose prominent mother died in a boating accident). Suspects abound. A secret, older lover? Her guardian, who seems to be dipping into her trust fund? Kate works smoothly with her significant other, police lieutenant Michael Stone, but it's her own dogged perseverance, fueled by a sense of guilt (she feels she failed Julie in some way), that compels her to investigate Julie's past?with ramifications that are particularly hazardous for herself. This fine mystery is buoyed by rich characterizations, a gripping plot and some scene-stealing performances by Anna, Kate's unpredictable and articulate six-year-old. <BR>Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # One Red Cent
  
  
  ## A Miranda Vaughn Mysteries novella
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Ellie Ashe
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # One Red Cent
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## A Miranda Vaughn Mysteries novella
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sarah Girard has a reputation to protect—the paralegal has never failed to
  serve a subpoena, no matter how reluctant the witness. But this sneaky chef
  she’s tracking down is more slippery than usual, and should he escape, the
  price is high.
  
  
  To get her man, Sarah is going to have to do the unthinkable—team up with
  tall, smug, and all-too-handsome investigator Burton Worthington.
  
  
  If she can’t deliver the man to court, an innocent man could take the rap for
  arson.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 1](part0005.html#4OIQ0-2b54877d645543fdbc359ba7f0e25523)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 2](part0006.html#5N3C0-2b54877d645543fdbc359ba7f0e25523)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 3](part0007.html#6LJU0-2b5