Haunted houses are scary enough without knife-wielding clowns. Especially murderous knife-wielding clowns. Therefore feels Ellison Russell, single mother, designer, and hesitant sleuth.

Today death wears a crimson nose, and Ellison is up to the blood-stained collar of her brand-new trench layer in outfits, caffeine, and possible killers. Who stabbed Brooks Harney, and just why? Money? Jealousy? Medications?

With Mother meddling, her father furious, and her date dragged downtown for questioning, as it happens that Ellison’s only confidante is Mr. Coffee.