Mourning Gloria by Susan Wittig Albert

Number 19 (!!) in the China Bayles series. I had no idea there were so many, and I've read and enjoyed every one of them.

However, I almost couldn't bring myself to read this one. The name of my dire nemesis woven into the title made it difficult. Luckily I love this series too much to let that deter me, and I enjoyed it as much as the rest of her books.

I must say the cover artist knows her material. I'd recognize that leaf shape anywhere.