Ahead of the Flame

When murder strikes during the town’s summer festival, the constables arrest the most unlikely suspect: Choopie the chupacabra!

The victim was a loan shark who had plenty of other people who wanted him dead—but everyone else has an ironclad alibi. Until Elsie can prove the chupacabra’s innocence, the entire paranormal menagerie at FLAME Farms is under house arrest. The basilisks are nesting in the dresser drawers, the griffin is clawing up the furniture—and you don’t even want to know what Moonbeam is complaining about.

The timing is impeccable. Her top-secret magic lessons are underway and her teacher only has five more days in town. Elsie has to get a stranglehold on the All-Flame’s power… even if all she wants to do is strangle her teacher.

Luckily she doesn’t have to do it alone. She’s got a multi-species posse always down for anything it takes to crack the case. Whether it’s burglary or perjury—Elsie and the gang will risk it all to save the animal shelter.

Can they outsmart the crafty killer, or will it be game over for FLAME Farms?