Originally published : Green Vase Publishing, 2008.

"Berkley Prime Crime mystery"--Spine.

"Uncle Oscar was one of a kind. His dusty antiques shop, the Green Vase--nestled in San Francisco's historic Jackson Square neighborhood--was like his own personal museum to the Gold Rush era. Needless to say, I was shocked when he was found dead in his shop, and even more surprised to discover he'd left the venerable establishment to me! I had no sooner started exploring the shop's fascinating array of curios and novelties--along with my two cats, Rupert and Isabella--than I began to meet a motley crew of Uncle Oscar's former associates, all of whom seemed deeply interested in the shop and its hidden secrets. Before long, I learned my inheritance included all sorts of clues Uncle Oscar has left behind--a peculiar key, a trap door, a puzzling map ... To unravel the mystery, my feline friends and I followed a twisted trail of deadly deception that began right here in his shop and leads all the way back to the days of the Gold Rush itself"--p.[4] of cover.