Hairstylist Marla Shore lands a case close to home when her animal-loving neighbor named Goat disappears, leaving his pets alone and a dead body in the master bedroom. When she notices the distinctive pattern of highlights in the deceased person's hair, Marla gets hot on the trail of her missing friend. Soon she's untangling clues involving hair growth formulas, exotic animal smuggling, and citrus canker. When dashing Dalton Vail's interest turns decidedly personal, she wonders which pursuer will claim her first: the amorous detective or the killer?

Marla travels to Mount Dora and Siesta Key in this story, where she encounters opposing viewpoints regarding the citrus canker eradication program. This is a volatile issue in South Florida with relevant articles appearing in newspapers with frequency.