Book One of the Shirley Combs and Dr. Mary Watson series, THE HOUNDING, introduces the private investigator and her sidekick as they meet each other, and Mary begins to chronicle the cases. Shirley is hired to solve the murder of Priscilla Vandeleur, who is hounded to her death by what she has felt cursed by her entire life. A rich heiress, she leaves plenty of suspects. As Shirley Combs investigates, Mary tags along and learns a few things. Set in Portland, Oregon where the trees provide so much: beauty, lumber, paper, fuel, and fodder for a murder mystery.