After the congressman representing her district suddenly dies of a heart attack, Jessica is asked to temporarily fill in, until a replacement is elected. While in Washington, she soon discovers the dark dealings of the political arena and that serving in elected offices can be murder.

Jessica arrives early in New Orleans on a book tour and spends some time as a tourist in the French Corner. On the night her host takes her out to a night club for the final performance of a popular Jazz band before relocating out of state, the leader drops dead, apparently from a heart attack. However, at Jessica's prodding, the police discover he was actually poisoned and there were several people, including several bandmates, who wanted the man dead.