Needing money to achieve this goal, she goes to Matt Culhane, owner of a local micro-brewery, and demands a job. Recently, Matt's company has had a string of suspicious events that has lead him to believe that someone is trying to sabotage his company. He decides to hire her as a way to have an insider report any suspicious activities that go on during the day. Kate agrees to the arrangement but only if she will get a $20,000 bonus if she catches the culprit.
Tropes used in this book:
- Alliterative Name: Missy Mortensen.
- All Women Love Shoes: Discussed by Kate who notes that Matt has more shoes than her.
- Amateur Sleuth: Kate.
- Bee Afraid: The drywall in Kate's house had a bee colony living in it.
- Berserk Button: For Kate, anyone hurting a dog.
- Canine Companion: Stella once Kate gets her back. Also Matt's dog Chuck.
- The Casanova: Matt has a reputation in town for being one. He confesses to Kate that while he has dated many women, he hasn't slept with many of them and is more interested in having a relationship.
- Chekhov's Gun: The thread Kate finds in the factory, Laila's and Harley's lighters.
- Clingy Jealous Girl: Deena Bowen to Matt.
- Damsel in Distress: Kate becomes one when Harley holds her at gun point. However she attacks him after he kicks Chuck.
- Disney Dog Fight: Kate participates in one for her poodle Stella. She wins as she knows that being disinterested is the way to get Stella's attention.
- Heroes Love Dogs: Both Kate and Matt.
- Hunk: Matt gets described as one several times.
- Kick the Dog: Harley does a literal kick the dog to prove his villainous-ness in the climax. The dog in question has three legs.
- Jerkass: Richard, Kate's ex.
- Meaningful Name: Ginger Monroe, Matt's office manager in Traverse City. Her name is doubly meaningful: She has red hair and is obsessed with the 1950s. Her name comes from Ginger Rogers and Marilyn Monroe.
- New-Age Retro Hippie: Starflower Creed.
- Outlaw Couple: Discussed in-universe by Kate in regards to Harley trying to sabotage Matt's business so that he and Laila can retire together.
- Plot Allergy: Kate's allergy to hops (which are used in beer).
- Quirky Town: Keene's Harbor.
- Seemingly-Wholesome '50s Girl: Kate's mother Barb used to be like this.
- Shirtless Scene: Matt gets one, right after he's worked out to boot.
- Shout-Out: Ginger Monroe's name references to actresses from the 1950s: Ginger Rogers and Marilyn Monroe.
- So Proud of You: Having felt like her parents are disappointed in her, Kate's mom writes how proud she and Kate's dad are of Kate.
- Took a Level in Badass: Kate after Harley kicks Chuck.
- Villainous Breakdown: Harley towards the end when he has kidnapped Kate.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Kate has some of his towards her parents.
