Unbidden Garden: A Southside Hooker Novel

Blood ally is working overtime on its name. A rash of “suicide by oncoming car” takes over as IBM starts another round of layoffs that runs a cold blade through the lower ribs of the indentured Santa Clara valley. Mudslides make recoveries of wrecks over cliffs—dicey; and the unusual cold has done unkind things to many people.

But for Hooker and the local police—it is just another fall with colder rain. A car recovery over a muddy cliff turns up a dead body; or more exactly—four skeletons, and bags of curious jewelry and gold statues.

It would all be a “walk away” for Hooker, but one of the skeletons is sporting a watch and dog tags that make it personal; very personal.

And then Hooker desperately wishes for the warmth of summer.

The Squirt is back and gets some hot attention, as some old bones heat up a cold case that never saw the light of day.

This could change everything.