Meet Jenny T. Partridge (and please, don't even start with the pear tree jokes), founder of Ogden, Utah's premier school for budding prima-and not-so-prima-ballerinas. For Jenny, dealing with difficult stage mothers is business as usual . . . until murder cuts in. The Jenny T. Partridge Dance Academy barely keeps its fearless leader in bologna sandwiches and Häagen Dazs, but it's passion that motivates Jenny . . . until tragedy trips her up. Sandra Epstein, obnoxious mother of Jenny's most talented student, has met her maker-courtesy of poisoned cookie dough purchased through the Academy's fundraiser. Even scarier than pushy moms and tights-wetting tots is being on the wrong end of a murder investigation, as Jenny learns when two über-hot investigators-not to mention a pair of besotted missionaries and Aunt Vi, Gossip Queen of Utah-start keeping a very close eye on her. Now, as the Academy's much-anticipated production of The Nutcracker draws near, Jenny's dancing as fast as she can to clear her name.