Why has renowned jazz pianist Carolee Burns given up playing celebrated venues for a tiny bistro in suburban Seattle? Former athlete Max Wolfe wants to know --- because more than Carolee's gorgeous music haunts him. The woman herself is a melancholy mystery --- one Max can't stop thinking about.

But Carolee isn't talking --- at least not at first. Hiding from everything --- the end of what she thought was a happy marriage, the painful estrangement from her cherished daughter --- is the only way she can get through each day. Even the thought of a friendship with Max isn't possible --- or is it?

But just as Max and Carolee realize that companionship is the least of what they want from each other, tragedy shatters Carolee's fragile new confidence --- and reveals that danger may wear a familiar face. Someone is determined to destroy everything --- and everyone --- Carolee loves ...

*** ROMANTIC SUSPENSE ***