When the mysterious letter arrives by courier, Valerie Cooper doesn't know what to make of it. She's become the beneficiary of her late husband's estranged uncle's will - a man she never knew - and inherited a majority partnership in the family's company, New Orleans Fine Antiques. When a wealthy local businesswoman is found dead with a jewelled dagger sticking out of her chest at a masquerade, Valerie is pushed into investigating Collette's business...

Six-year-old Eloise loves to take a bath, which is bad news for Mr. Salomone and the elegant people gathering below in the Plaza's Grand Ball Room for the charity event of the season, a Masked Ball.

"The Thea Sisters are headed to Venice, Italy! They'll be there for the Carnival, an annual festival that's famouse for its elaborate masks. The mouselets love exploring the city's bridges and canals, and seeing the beautiful costumes mice wear to Carnival celebrations. But a mysterious thief strikes while they are there! Can they unmask him before the festival ends?"--Page 4 of cover.