Look past the mint juleps and magnolias, the grace and good manners. Forget about the sultry drawls and the beautiful belles. Hidden behind the sweet-as-honey smiles and the "yes, ma'ams" and "no,sirs," there's a sinistter, seamy side of the South that you may not have seen-until now...

Do you know how best to react when you overhear your own flesh and blood plotting your murder? Agatha Award-winner Joan Hess gives you a clue. Have you ever met an obituary writer with a disturbing obessession? In Terry Kay's story, you will. Do you sometimes wonder just how far a wronged widow will go for revenge? After reading Michael Malone's tale, you'll know. Have you ever been in the middle of a murder investigation in steamy Atlanta? Thomas H. Cook puts you there. In this collection of never-before-published fiction, twelve esteemed authors expose the shrewdest characters and cleverest crimes in the South-where what you don't know just might kill you...