Death on a Budget

After the apparent suicide of his childhood friend Lou Barrett, Chicago freelance sleuth Emerson Ward returns to his hometown of Huntley, Illinois, to attend the funeral. When Lou’s sister, Meg Brodsky, asks Emerson to investigate her brother’s death, he uncovers troubling connections to Lou’s business dealings and a suspicious mall development. As clues from the past and present intertwine, Emerson faces increasing danger and uncovers surprising truths.