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 portrait, a feigned suicide (or is it murder?), multiple suspects, a Delaware beach resort, an Israeli martial arts discipline, a springer spaniel, and an ovulation cycle-all combine to lead our young heroes on a dizzying path, capped off in a frightening climax led by an eagle-eyed housekeeper with a large garbage bag.