Olivia, a "hopefully retired" con artist, has escaped in a close getaway and is hiding out on the island of Freeport in the Bahamas, working days as a bartender at a tropical watering hole. Life has become quiet, simple, and honest. That is, until...
There was a man who saved her life, a pilot and a virtual stranger at the time. Not only did he aid in her getaway, but he also felt inclined to bring her a sum of the prize money from the job, affording her this simple life. When pushed for a reason, he hadn't offered much. Only that he'd lost a daughter who would have been about Olivia's age. Perhaps he believed it was his fault, along with his past criminal decisions as a smuggler, that had led his daughter to her end; the money, intended to be a big good to ease some big wrongs. So he gave Olivia a hefty share and then disappeared...to pursue his own hideout.
Two months later, on a Sunday afternoon in late September...the first clue arrives.
Olivia believes that it may have been planted by Peter. It's a clue in the form of an odd bar trinket, and Olivia believes it's vague and untraceable by design. Maybe even a cry for help. And if it is, it has arrived from the one man she would ever consider coming out of hiding for, especially considering the level of danger that could be pinning for Peter as a direct result of him helping her in that con job gone bad. And it's for that reason that she simply must pursue. At any cost. No matter how dangerous.
This takes her on a bizarre trail of clues intended to lead her to him. Seemingly, at a precise time. Each clue, as she discovers it, appears increasingly savvy and methodically placed, insuring she will be the only one able to follow it; but, in turn, also insuring she may not understand the full reason for any of the clues until she reaches the end of the trail. Hence, the intention is unknown. Her purpose, a mystery. And soon, even the source of the clues becomes dangerously questionable.
And as the layers begin to unfold, she begins to suspect there can be only two results if she succeeds. One: She arrives on time as was intended, and she fulfills her purpose. Or two: she arrives on time as was intended...and it's too late to turn back.
"As with his previous books, It's a Calamity Jane is an intelligent, cleverly crafted book with seriously endearing characters. Asher has a unique style and a unique talent for storytelling." Reba Hilbert Dog Ear Publishing Editor
