Cover for My Cousin Krissy by Mary Pierce. (Cover art by Mary Pierce)

Trouble didn't knock on Mackenzie Prentice's door – it arrived in the form of her cousin Kristen, who arrived in the same, chaotic fashion Mackenzie's mother warned her of as a child.

In the newest installment from Eau Claire author Mary Pierce, My Cousin Krissy, a chaotic familial homecoming unfolds. In it, a stash of cash and a bag of bones serves as the catalyst for the protagonist's latest mystery to untangle.

My Cousin Krissy, book six in the Mackenzie Prentice mystery series, once again finds “Mack” in the Midwest town of Three Rivers. This time, her cousin Kristen – also known as “Crazy Krissy,” who has been out of the picture for decades of Mackenzie's life – returns to town with trouble of her own.

As with many of Pierce's stories throughout the series, themes of strength, family connection and loyalty act as driving forces in My Cousin Krissy – which was independently published this spring.

“Mackenzie comes to a deeper understanding of those who struggle with addictions and also gains insight into the reasons a person might struggle with holding on to stuff,” Pierce said of her latest story. “There is a tenderness and a poignancy in Mack’s connection with her cousin that surprised even me.”

The true art of crafting a long-running series lies in the delicate balance of voice consistency, Pierce said. In My Cousin Krissy, Pierce weaves just the right amount of history – with nods to Three Rivers' inspiration, the city of Eau Claire, where she resides – to welcome new readers to the story, without bogging down those who have followed Mackenzie during each step of her winding journey.

From 7-8pm on July 10 at The Local Store (205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire), Pierce will discuss these themes and reveal more about the series at-large, as she reads excerpts from My Cousin Krissy and offers a live Q&A.

Locals and avid mystery-thriller readers will have to see for themselves if Mack can save Krissy from the danger closing in – or will this story be the one mess even she can't fix?

My Cousin Krissy by Mary Pierce is available to purchase in person and online at The Local Store (205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire).