The Girl on 30A

by Deborah Rine

Claire escapes on Christmas Day. She leaves behind her stifling family, her controlling fiancé and her grueling job. In Lemon Cove, a Florida town off Highway 30A, she finds new friends, a challenging career and a beautiful coach house right on the beach. How lucky can she get? But within days her perfect new life begins to disintegrate. Her date for New Year’s Eve is found dead in a gangland shooting. She hears voices in the night and has the distinct feeling she’s being followed. Gripped by fear, she is suspicious of Daxton Simmons, a handsome, cocky neighbor; of Seijun, the charismatic Buddhist priest; and of the mysterious hitchhiker. Claire is determined to uncover the truth and reclaim the life she’s begun to build…no matter what it takes. This fast-paced novel takes place on the exquisite Emerald Coast along Highway 30A in the Florida Panhandle. Part travelogue and part thriller, THE GIRL ON 30A paints a vibrant portrait of a distinctive region while spinning its intriguing tale.

Genres: Fiction

266 pages, Paperback

Published January 24, 2018

About the author

My name is Deborah Williamson Rine. I grew up in Illinois, New York and Washington D.C. I was fortunate to spend a year in France when fifteen and a year in Göteborg, Sweden following high school. After Northwestern University, I lived in Milan, Verona, Paris and Brussels. These experiences created a love of different cultures, people and food. “Life is a smorgasbord and I want to sample it all.” I was a French teacher for many years. The Lake is my first book. I don’t know why I waited so long to start writing because it’s a delectable challenge. I love diving into the story and seeing what happens!

Reviews

[Megan Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A toned-down version of an Elin Hilderbrand book, but set in my favorite little beach town. The writing was so simple and the plot was pretty predictable, but I still enjoyed being transported to 30A🐚

[AnnMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up while on vacation on 30a. The writing is simplistic, but the plot was engaging and interesting. I loved the naming of familiar locations and businesses. We frequently vacation here, so it is nice to have the layout of the area in my head as I was reading.

[Katrina Couch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I loved this book from beginning to end. I could hardly put it down. I had to know what was coming next.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While on vacation on 30A I visited Sundog Books on my birthday when the author was there signing books. I bought a copy and had the author sign it as a birthday present/souvenir. I really had no expectations of the book, and I was pleasantly surprised. This book has the right combination of cozy beach vibes, mystery, and action. I really enjoyed reading it and will be continuing to read the series.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good Gulf mystery, set in the beautiful 30A corridor just west of the Redneck Riviera. The author represents the world's most beautiful beaches well, and the story is full of suspicious characters, suspense, and good food. Even though the house in Lemon Cove is fictional, I'm pretty sure I know which house was the inspiration for it. My one big complaint is the many formatting errors, along with the occasional typo.

[Coco Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun beach mystery I picked up from the Hidden Lantern bookstore in Rosemary Beach while the author was doing a book signing. I read it while going to a lot of the places mentioned in the book that Claire visits! That made it even more entertaining. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Philip Dampier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow start but pace did pick up. Too much character detail for me especially all the info on wine. There is one part where the tension is great and then marred due to an impossible change of events. Otherwise, a good read and I enjoyed reading the story of an area I know.

[Paris (parismaereads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun on-site read. I started reading The Girl On 30A when we were visiting Rosemary, FL. I love reading books set in the areas I’m traveling, it makes the book come alive and adds an extra dose of adventure to my travels.

[misty f kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

This book kept me interested the whole time. Good suspense and mystery. It was fun knowing some of these places as I read along. You grow attached to the places and characters as well. I recommend this book.

[Carol Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The locally written book (mystery) has a neat twist because it takes place around Panama City Beach where I’m staying. Was a good read and really liked the references to local restaurants, beaches and surrounding area. May have to check out the authors other books.

[Shannon Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had a chance to be good. Great start...then got really unbelievable and predictable. Fun to be in the same location as the setting while reading though.

[Ciji Boothe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I enjoyed this book so much! I have vacationed on 30a all my life and could envision this story like watching a movie! I love love loved it!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, fun read. Took me about a day to start and finish. Would be a great beach book.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, easy, fun read, especially if you frequent the 30A stretch of FLA.

[Gypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this mystery! Since I live in this beautiful Florida setting, everything seemed very “real.”

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great beach read. Much better than I expected. The mystery kept me going until the very end when it was solved.

Would really give the book 3.5 stars.

[M.E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got this book when I was vacationing where it takes place. Got halfway through. Not worth finishing.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute quick read about places we’ve been but the murder mystery kept me on my toes.

[Denae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great "beach read " even though I wasn't at the beach 🤣 always enjoy a good mystery, and this one does not disappoint!

[Matt Neely]

I'm speechless.

[Ktmoeller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story kind of dragged but it definitely got better. Fun to read about the area where we’ve vacationed. I recognized many places.

[Renee Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining read... light mystery with plenty of intrigue.
I love how the author used real landmarks on 30A in the panhandle of Florida to provide additional charm to the book.

[Caroline Haisten · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this so much but it felt like the author could only brag that she visited the area by name dropping constantly

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent effort. The latter half becomes a bit unbelievable.

[Nancy Terwoord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story! Am here on Emerald Coast for the month , so enjoying the local vibes!

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun beach read

[Kellie Birdwell Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read.

[Jen Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read! Good for the beach. Storyline was predictable

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Christmas Day, Claire leaves her family, job, and fiancée and goes to Florida to a small town along 30A. There she makes a new friend right away and by chance finds a place to live in a coach house right on the beach. Her luck changes a week later when her date is murdered on New Year's Eve and she is hearing strange voices on the estate at night.

I read this while on vacation in Florida (somewhat near where this takes place). I think being down there while reading it made even more enjoyable.

[Ava Wegner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a cute read especially with all the remarks to 30A! interesting mystery novel with unique plot.