How could a thirty-something man fall to his death from a fourth-floor balcony he knows isdefective? That's the question freelance writer Micki Demetrius is asked to answer by theman's grieving mother, Clarissa White, who refuses to believe his death was an unfortunateaccident. But when the authorities determine it was homicide, Micki is shut out of herinvestigative efforts.Giving up is easier said than done for Micki. She can't resist a mystery, and suspiciouscharacters won't leave Clarissa alone, from the woman claiming a stake in the victim's life to acagey character who wants his business. As the threat to Clarissa grows, Micki feels compelledto help her in spite of the danger.Micki's three mah jongg pals—Sydney, Marianne and Kat—are drawn into the mystery, but theretirees have their own challenges. Syd and husband Trip do grandparent duty while theirdaughter deals with marital issues. Marianne "finds herself" by writing a one-act play. And Katmust decide how public to go with her growing friendship with the sheriff. Together, they mustconnect the dots in a nefarious web of greed, neglect, secrecy and murder.The Mah Jongg Mystery Series is set in the fictional central Florida town of Serendipity Springs. It features four retired women who meet playing the game of Mah Jongg and from there develop a strong friendship. Two have been married several years and have grown children and grandchildren, one is divorced and one has never been married. In their earlier lives, all had rewarding careers, but that doesn't mean they're content to sit back and relax now. As the series progresses, each pursues new interests, Kat Faulkner as a songstress, Marianne Putnam writing one-act plays, Micki Demetrius as a freelance journalist and Sydney Bonner interior design. In their community they engage in such activities as a social group for those over 50, numerous stops at the local coffeehouse, classes and other activities at the community center and even a shopping trip to Naples. Syd's husband, Trip, and Marianne's husband, Beau, are golf buddies who spend many a day on the course. When not there, Trip is busy seeking to build a new post retirement life, and Beau, a former botanist, is often prevailed upon to join in Trip's latest activity. Sheriff Rick Formero, a widower, intrigued by Kat, presses for her to make more of their relationship and Kat slowly comes around. Micki, burned by her former spouse, isn't ready for a serious relationship, at least that's what she claims, but retired attorney, Guy Whitney, also a widower, tries to convince her to think otherwise.Kat has lived a frugal life until winning big in a lottery shortly after her mother's death; suddenly, Kat has money and doesn't know how to spend it. But her pal, Micki, does, even if it's to guide Kat through a makeover and wardrobe change for her lounge act. The four don't seek out murders to investigate; somehow the circumstances and those affected drag them in. To their surprise, they like investigating homicides, and they're good at it, although along the way, following a few lucky escapes from near-death situations, they discover they must learn self-defense. But it takes time for them to sell their skills and special abilities as civilians to the sheriff. Barbara Barrett is already published in contemporary romance. Like her protagonists, she is retired and is a resident of Florida, although she spends her summers in her home state of Iowa. She is married with grown children and eight grandchildren. She spent over three decades as a human resource management analyst with Iowa state government. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime – Iowa, and Florida Star Fiction Writers.