Picking up the threads of the Quilted Mystery series, Ripping Abigail delves into the seamy side of Southern California gang culture. Bright, creative, 13-year-old Quilted Secrets member Abigail Pustovoytenko rebels against her homeschooling and enrolls herself in a high school where the local gangs are under pressure from mysterious forces and engaging in ever more violent acts. As Abigail draws unwanted attention by speaking up for the victims of the escalating gang activity, retired librarian-turned private investigator Rachel Lyons has her hands full trying to keep the principled teenager safe while seeking to uncover the forces behind this eruption of gang violence.