<p><em>The lure of antiques, an unfolding love affair, mystery and malice, set in an achingly beautiful remote location.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>It's said that Cross County keeps its secrets.</p><p><em>The detective spread out his hands in a gesture of defeat. "They didn't want our report; they'd do their own investigation. My chief told me to leave things alone, given Cross County's reputation for insularity and truculence."</em></p><p>Deep in the Appalachians of southern Pennsylvania lies Cross County, its coal mines closed decades ago, leaving it poor and struggling. Until now. </p><p>Thanks to the rich Marcellus Shale gas deposits, the county is having an economic boom, and the financially strapped Colton Area School District is starting to recover.</p><p><em>Then someone sets fire to one of the elementary schools, and among the ashes are found the charred remains of the district Superintendent.</em></p><p>Jerry noted the frenetic activity as he drove into Colton to take the job of Acting Superintendent. This wasn't your usual down-at-the-heels rural school district, he thought, his interest growing.</p><p>Things were buzzing, and as Superintendent he'd get to harness that buzz to make real improvements in education. </p><p><em>And, astonishingly, find himself in love.</em></p><p>But he'd also have to deal with old resentments, new opportunism, entrenched loyalties, and a long tradition of ... <em>arson.</em></p><p>By the author of <em>Antiques To Die For, </em>the first book in a series on antiques and murder.</p><p><strong>About the Author: </strong>P. L. Hartman is part of a multi-dealer antiques shop in central Pennsylvania.</p>