The Fairchild clan with its many family problems assembles at the lodge managed by Fred and Naomi Stafford. While skiing on the slopes Faith discovers a corpse on the cross-country trail. It is a local lawyer, Boyd Harrison who had a history of heart problems. He is assumed to have died of a heart attack, but it is discovered that the pills he carried for his heart condition had been substituted with harmless antacids. There follows a series of events: an accident with the snow machine, a dummy corpse in the swimming pool, the sabotage of one of the ski lifts which threaten the precarious future of the resort. Then the Pine Slopes master chef disappears and Faith is forced to assume his role in preparing the meals for the resort. There are too many cross-currents within the family and within the operation of the resort, leading Faith to attempt to solve the puzzles behind them.

The book presents a full cast of characters, most of whom have problems, an attractive setting, tantalizing accounts of food, and of course murder. The plot is well constructed and keeps a high level of suspense. The reader is given a detailed account of the history of skiing. There are numerous references to the preparation of various foods, but the most mouth-watering is that of the smorgasbord. Several excellent recipes are included. Try the "Glad's Brownies" recipe....you will not be sorry...