Before the murder in Fatal Elevation, another mystery haunted The Prospect House-and only Ben Hartley could solve it. When Ben Hartley impulsively buys a long-abandoned Victorian inn in Prospect, Colorado, he's looking for a fresh start after his divorce. What he finds is a twenty-five-year-old cold case: the inn's previous owner, Margaret Crawford, vanished without a trace in 1995. As Ben renovates the inn, he uncovers Margaret's hidden secrets-threatening letters, financial documents, and a recorded confession that reveals she was murdered. With the help of the local historical society, a guilt-ridden contractor, and a reluctant sheriff, Ben pieces together what really happened the night Margaret disappeared. But solving a cold case means confronting powerful families, buried guilt, and the question of whether truth matters when everyone involved is already gone. For Ben, giving Margaret justice becomes his own path to healing-and the foundation for the haven The Prospect House will become. A standalone prequel to Fatal Elevation, perfect for readers who love cold cases, small-town mysteries, and the power of second chances. Praise for the Prospect, Colorado Series: "Cozy mystery perfection!" "I couldn't put it down!" "Ben Hartley is my new favorite innkeeper sleuth!"