Twelve-year-old Sam Parsons tries to scheme his way out of a 500-mile journey to attend a funeral for his mom's reclusive but beloved Uncle Buster. After all, Sam has important business going on at home. He's close to being part of Joey Sabatini's elite posse, which places him just one degree of separation from his favorite football team. However, once he's forced to make the trip to Ashe County, North Carolina, Sam is sidetracked by suspicions about the circumstances surrounding Uncle Buster's demise. The surly, mysterious neighbor, the shadowy Meals on Wheels lady, the less-than-truthful sisters of the deceased, and the grunting hulk of a man dragging a bush hog across Uncle Buster's property are all suspects. Can Sam solve a mystery in the mountains while also scoring an NFL connection at home? Named CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Florida Writers Association, 2022 Royal Palm Literary Awards!