Money is not Mia's only problem. She is still resolving issues from her divorce, and her daughter, Eden, is misbehaving at school, probably a result of that divorce. Eden also has become a very picky eater recently. When the school calls Lloyd in an effort to try to resolve Eden's problems, the whole family gets involved and they seem to all turn against Mia.

When Mia uses the last cash she has to purchase some expensive "organic" groceries to entice Eden to eat, she goes into the bank to use the ATM. She notices the machine seems a little different; the light on the screen dims and then returns. When she extracts her cash, instead of five $10 bills, she gets five $20s. However, her receipt only shows a withdrawal of $100.

This pattern repeats itself on her next few visits to this same machine, yet begins to give out $100 bills instead of $20s. Mia saves most of the money in a shoe box in her closet, but gives some of it away to the homeless on the street and anonymously to her neighbors. Then one day, as she withdraws only another $100, Mia receives a crisp, almost new-looking $10,000 bill. There is a message on the machine's screen: "A gift for you, Mia. Use it well."

Her research tells her that $10,000 bills have not been in circulation for some time. She finds a buyer through the Yellow Pages and visits him. But he won't buy because she won't reveal her source. Her boyfriend, Fred, sets up a meeting for her with someone named Weed. Weed offers her $50,000 for the bill, no questions asked. She takes it.

When Weed turns up murdered a few days later, the police come looking for Mia. The unexplained bill has been found on him and she has plenty of motive. After all, the bill is worth twice what Weed gave her. But Mia will not reveal her source. She knows no one will believe her anyway. Mia is arrested and has to appear in court where she finally reveals to the judge where she got the bill. Will the magic return one more time? Will the machine execute its philanthropy to exonerate Mia?

This novel is an exciting read; you're never quite sure where the story is going. Follow Mia in her journey as she adopts the mantra "use it well" to do good for those who are less fortunate. For you environmentalists out there, McDonough has incorporated "green living" in a brilliant way throughout the story. You are sure to enjoy this novel.

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