A foreign land grab in the Dakotas, a strangulation, an interrupted Central American Cruise, a lecherous artist, a psychotic stalker, a living room shooting, drama in the Supreme Court, a Ponzi scheme, illicit lovers, an unauthorized and revealing portrait, a feigned suicide ()or is it murder?), multiple suspects, a Delaware beach resort, and Israeli martial arts discipline, a Springer spaniel, and an ovulation cycle -- all combine to lead our young protagonists on a dizzying path, capped off in a frightening climax led by an eagle-eyed housekeeper with a large plastic bag.