<p>After a devastating experience as an&nbsp;investigative reporter for a large Chicago newspaper Meg Smyth took a leave of absence and moved temporarily into a lakeside cottage in the village of Bramble.&nbsp;She found she enjoyed the slow pace and friendliness of the town and her neighbors in &quot;Cottage Row&quot; so when the paper offered her the position of &quot;Miss Polly&quot; syndicated advice columnist she accepted. She filed articles from the laptop on her kitchen table and put down roots.&nbsp;No more investigation for her&mdash;until murder came to Bramble!</p>