Shadow of an Angel (Augusta Goodnight Mysteries)

Shadow of an Angel (Augusta Goodnight Mysteries) by Ballard, Mignon F.. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780312281687.

After the sudden death of her husband, Minda Hobbs returns to Angel Heights, S.C., the home of her forebears, to seek peace and purpose in her life. Instead, she finds her ner-do-well cousin Otto as cold and stiff as yesterdays grits in the ladies room at the historic Minerva Academy. Shocked by her cousins murder and still grieving over the loss of her husband, Minda has mixed emotions when shes greeted by her guardian angel, Augusta Goodnight. Shimmering with church window radiance, and smelling of strawberry jam, Augusta is a temp whos come on a double mission-to help Minda solve Ottos murder and to take care of unfinished business from an assignment in 1916. Even though Otto could be unbearable at times, an annoying laugh is hardly cause for murder. Mindas only lead is a tiny gold pin, found wedged in a Minerva Academy bathroom stall, and its connection to a club called the Mystic Six. Together, Minda and Augusta trace the descendents of this secret society, piecing together clues that lead to a special quilt and the mystery behind Cousin Ottos unfortunate demise.