Southern Poison

Jersey Barnes Mystery #2

by T. Lynn Ocean

Men from her past keep reappearing in her life, and hard-hitting security specialist Jersey Barnes can't seem to enjoy early retirement. This time, it's her former handler Ashton, back from when she worked for the government. There has been some high frequency chatter targeting the Sunny Point Ammunitions Depot and they want Jersey to be a set of eyes and ears by serving breakfast from the 'roach coach' --a mobile food vending cart.

Unwittingly thrown back in action, Jersey unveils the suspected threat but meanwhile, discovers a much larger and much more sinister plot in the works.Southern Poison moves at break-neck speed as Jersey must save herself from assassins, interrupt a glitterati wedding, stop the bad guys from distributing a tainted product, keep her trouble-making father and his poker buddies out of jail, investigate a budding romance, and maybe—just maybe—retire.

Genres: Mystery, Southern, Mystery Thriller

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 2008

About the author

T. Lynn Ocean was first published in the 'North Myrtle Beach Times' (a small town weekly) but only after getting on one knee to beg the editor and offering to write for free. That was in 1995 and T. Lynn wrote the 'Humor Me' column for a year.

She went on to write freelance for various magazines and newspapers but her passion has always been fiction. Her first book, 'Fool Me Once', was published by St. Martin's Press in 2005. The best thing about writing fiction, T. Lynn will tell you, is that you get to make everything up. (Although some would argue that much of what they read in the newspaper is pure fiction, too.)

Between extended visits with her computer keyboard, she enjoys impromptu road trips (in the name of research, of course), brainstorming with friends, and eating great food anywhere with a view.

An outdoor enthusiast, T. Lynn Ocean lives in Little River, SC, with her husband and a few furry critters.

Reviews

[Kathleen A. Baca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read by T. Lynn Ocean!

Very good book! I have been introduced to T. Lynn Ocean through one of my siblings and I have been trying to read all of her books! She gets what it feels like to grow older and wiser with time and life experience.

[Sandy Lipinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Action and humor. Loved it.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd in series. Pretty funny parts. Only slightly confusing

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jersey Barnes, recently retired ex-government agent, is called back into service to aid in stopping a possible terrorist threat. Going undercover to gather info, she takes over running a mobile meal truck, or roach coach. Her biggest obstacle may be learning how to cook. The head of security at the largest ammo port in the nation is an ex-agent and Jersey's prime suspect. When she relays her suspicions, her handler dismisses her instincts against the ex-agent, John. Ignoring his orders, Jersey, best friend Ox, and JJ hook up to prove him wrong and thereby delaying the explosion that would have killed hundreds at a high-society wedding overlooking the ocean, many of the guests high ranking officials. Her target eludes the fallout and covertly seeks revenge against Jersey.
Jersey also explores her growing relationship with her sexy pub manager and partner Ox, while his teenage daughter Lindsey moves in with her dad and Ox's ex visits from California to see if she can reignite the past. Things get complicated as Jersey learns John is also a business man and has contracted Lindsey to promote his newest temporary tattoo product geared to young women. Though her boss still dismisses John as a danger, Jersey pursues him with a vengeance and learns his product is able to sterilize its users. No one endangers someone she loves and Jersey ignores all orders until she finally gets her man.

[Debbie Maskus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 2nd Jersey Barnes mystery set in Wilmington, NC. This is a light read mystery with Jersey, an ex-government agent, owner of a bar and security agency. Jersey, thinks she has retired and can enjoy the easy life, but the fine print of her contract states she is like a reserve soldier, always on stand-by. In this episode, Jersey must discover a terrorist working at an arms supplier. The Ocean's novels are light reading and whimical with light romance. The characters are not as developed as PD James or Elizabeth George, and the settings are scanty. Jersey's dad, Spud, brings to mind, Stephanie Plum's grandmother; both are always getting in trouble.

[Vickie T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun. Jersey Barnes retired to Wilmington, NC and bought a restaurant. Unfortunately she is called back into government service because of a suspected terrorist threat. Great fun with the handsome friend Ox (for Oxendine, a Lumbee Indian), her zany father, and the arrival of Ox's daughter. Sort of a NC Stephanie Plum. The book did make me want to run up to Wilmington to eat at Elijah's.

[Agatha Donkar Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brain candy, but super enjoyable brain candy.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, but not great.

[Melodie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jersey is a bit hard to take, as well as being hard to believe. But I like the fringe characters in this book. Not bad, not great, but worth a read.

[Nancy E Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved r

Good book. Enjoy the series and hope there are more to come. Quick read and love the dad's antics. Will read more of her books