In book 17 of the series, Tess and the entire gang who work and volunteer at the local wild and domestic animal rescue and rehabilitation facility, are up in arms when they find out that the annual fireworks show has been moved to a small lake nestled in the center of a large meadow not all that far from the shelter. Tess tries to explain how setting off explosives of any sort near the shelter will stress out all the animals in their care. She argues that the firework display should be moved back to the larger lake south of town where it has always been held. It seems however that the new president of the local chamber of commerce has his own reasons for moving the show and refuses to cooperate. When the unpleasant man shows up dead hours after Tess publicly threatens him, Tess finds herself in the hot seat. As crazy as it is that anyone would believe she would actually carry through with her threats, it seems the only way to really clear her name is to find the real killer.

Meanwhile, Tess's mom is planning a huge Fourth of July party to be held at Tess and Tony's house on the lake. Tess's sister-in-law Bree is pregnant to unable to help with the planning of the event as she normally would, which means that Tess will need to shoulder double the workload. And if being accused of murder and having a party to plan isn't enough, mom is insisting that Tess invite Uncle Garret, who as far as Tess is concerned, is the very last man on earth who should be included.