Alison Bergeron has her doubts about hosting a birthday party for her twin stepdaughters, seeing as it’ll include all of her new husband's ex-in-laws. Still, she’s a good sport, and everyone has a great time, especially the girls, who receive $10,000 from their estranged uncle, Chick.

The girls’ father NYPD Detective Bobby Crawford and Christine, his ex, think the gift is too much. But when he swings by Chick’s apartment to return it he finds Chick dead with roughly $250,000 stuffed in his mattress. The death is ruled a suicide, but Christine isn’t convinced, and even Alison can’t help but admit that there must be a lot more to Chick’s death.

Extra Credit, the latest in Barbieri’s stellar Murder 101 series, has Alison and Bobby delving into family secrets that are better left untouched. -- From Amazon.com Product Description