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Biscayne Bay Mystery #1
Hired Killer
Sometimes it’s safer to stay dead—it’s easier to dig for the truth.
I’ve got a man handcuffed to my bed.
I’m Harper Finn, legit business owner. But I picked up a ringing phone that wasn’t mine and…well, I’m now involved.
Sure, Grey Walker, six feet of blue-eyed hotness, will gripe about me kidnapping him when he wakes up. But I couldn’t just let the ex-cop fall prey to a hit someone took out on him. Trust me, with people setting him up to take the fall for an infamous murder, he’s better off pretending to be dead for a while. In south Florida, it’s easier than you might think.
And as we dig for the truth, we have to be careful not to wind up at the bottom of Biscayne Bay.
I’ve got a man handcuffed to my bed.
I’m Harper Finn, legit business owner. But I picked up a ringing phone that wasn’t mine and…well, I’m now involved.
Sure, Grey Walker, six feet of blue-eyed hotness, will gripe about me kidnapping him when he wakes up. But I couldn’t just let the ex-cop fall prey to a hit someone took out on him. Trust me, with people setting him up to take the fall for an infamous murder, he’s better off pretending to be dead for a while. In south Florida, it’s easier than you might think.
And as we dig for the truth, we have to be careful not to wind up at the bottom of Biscayne Bay.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2021
1067 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Brown
51 books1,440 followersDeborah Brown is the author of the Paradise series, Crazy, Deception and Trouble Florida Keys mysteries, which makes the reader laugh, cry and cheer...
My personal ad would read:
There's nothing a new pair of shoes can't cure.
Redhead. Long legs. There's nothing like a strawberry-lemonade in summer. Favorite activity: Filling my pockets with seashells. An avid rule follower when eating Animal Cookies: Broken ones get eaten first, match up the rest, duplicates next, line them up favorite to not, least favorite go first. South Florida is my home, with my ungrateful rescue cats, and where Mother Nature takes out her bad attitude in the form of hurricanes.
My personal ad would read:
There's nothing a new pair of shoes can't cure.
Redhead. Long legs. There's nothing like a strawberry-lemonade in summer. Favorite activity: Filling my pockets with seashells. An avid rule follower when eating Animal Cookies: Broken ones get eaten first, match up the rest, duplicates next, line them up favorite to not, least favorite go first. South Florida is my home, with my ungrateful rescue cats, and where Mother Nature takes out her bad attitude in the form of hurricanes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
September 23, 2021
DNF - quit at 15%
I tried, but it just wasn't working for me. To start, this is supposed to be book 1, but the reader is dumped into a story that has no world building or some sort of plot set up. I didn't know who was what or why -to anything happening, and it was so disorienting to not really understand just the part the main characters play in the story, that I just ended up not caring. On top of that, it was all a bit unbelievable and a little too immature to me. Too many things just seemed to convenient in the story. I wish I hadn't wasted that little bit of time before giving up.
At my age (approaching 60), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
I tried, but it just wasn't working for me. To start, this is supposed to be book 1, but the reader is dumped into a story that has no world building or some sort of plot set up. I didn't know who was what or why -to anything happening, and it was so disorienting to not really understand just the part the main characters play in the story, that I just ended up not caring. On top of that, it was all a bit unbelievable and a little too immature to me. Too many things just seemed to convenient in the story. I wish I hadn't wasted that little bit of time before giving up.
At my age (approaching 60), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
July 23, 2022
This is the first book that I've read by Deborah Brown but I'm hooked on this series and will be reading Avery's book next. I would have liked more background about Harper, Avery and Rella as I think it would have helped to flesh out Harper's character. The mystery was compelling, the banter between Grey and Harper was funny and the dramatic finale kept me turning the pages.
May 1, 2022
DNF at Chapter 8. I'm having a very hard time believing that the same author wrote this book and the Paradise series. I had just finished the last installment of the Paradise series, Escaped in Paradise, when I started this new series. The writing just seemed completely off. Not much background information. Like there should be a book before this one explaining more about the characters and their background. Trying too hard to be like Madison and Fab. I just couldn't get into it. It didn't make sense as to what was going on, and didn't keep me interested enough to read it out to the last chapter to find out.
I absolutely love the Paradise series so maybe I'm just bias, but I think with a re-write, I would try it again.
I absolutely love the Paradise series so maybe I'm just bias, but I think with a re-write, I would try it again.
June 14, 2022
DNF, felt like I was dumped into the middle of a story.
Read
August 27, 2022DNF @ 9%. Imagine writing a poor maligned cop love story in 2021.
April 24, 2023
I read about half of Brown's "Paradise" series, and had to give up on it. I decided that I would give this series a try, and decided to stop after one! It was difficult to read, the writing seemed to drag most of the time, and the story was silly. I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't.
March 7, 2023
I could not force myself to finish this book. It was so bad. And slow.
February 22, 2022
I love Deborah Brown's books, her characters, the stories, all so fun!... I've read everything she writes and love her stories about Madison and Fab (I hope they continue!) However, in this fun new series I had a hard time figuring out who was speaking. It's annoying to stop, try and go back to figure out who must have been talking and even then, not be able to tell who it was.
Please Deborah, give your readers a few clues now and then. I truly like your way of eliminating the unnecessary "he said" "she said's" but sometimes a clue would be helpful.
This book was full of fun twists and turns, a surprise ending, and the characters were very entertaining. I am already starting the second book in the series and look forward to getting to know more about all of them. :-)
Five stars for the story, sadly 3 stars for the confusion.
Please Deborah, give your readers a few clues now and then. I truly like your way of eliminating the unnecessary "he said" "she said's" but sometimes a clue would be helpful.
This book was full of fun twists and turns, a surprise ending, and the characters were very entertaining. I am already starting the second book in the series and look forward to getting to know more about all of them. :-)
Five stars for the story, sadly 3 stars for the confusion.
March 29, 2025
A Fun New Series
I’ve read all the Paradise/Florida Keys series that have already been published. Just waiting for the next one due in April. I decided to try another of Deborah Browns series. I was not disappointed. One of the really fun parts is that a couple of the characters in this series also make an appearance in the Paradis series too. The main characters are Harper and Grey. Harper is trying to find out what happened to her missing father by poking around his office when she hears a ringing phone. Turns out it’s a burner. She answers and the caller wants to hire “her” to murder an ex policeman named Grey who had been implicated in the death of a socialite. What happens next begins a tale of murder and intrigue.
I’ve read all the Paradise/Florida Keys series that have already been published. Just waiting for the next one due in April. I decided to try another of Deborah Browns series. I was not disappointed. One of the really fun parts is that a couple of the characters in this series also make an appearance in the Paradis series too. The main characters are Harper and Grey. Harper is trying to find out what happened to her missing father by poking around his office when she hears a ringing phone. Turns out it’s a burner. She answers and the caller wants to hire “her” to murder an ex policeman named Grey who had been implicated in the death of a socialite. What happens next begins a tale of murder and intrigue.
September 23, 2021
Great new series
I am obsessed with the Paradise Series and decided to read this because those books are so good and it did not disappoint. It was a lot of fun and non stop action from page one. The characters are great, I love how they are all such good friends. It's also really nice to see such strong women characters. The story is very interesting and who wouldn't love the locations. Iam already attached to the characters and can't wait for more books to be added to the series.
I am obsessed with the Paradise Series and decided to read this because those books are so good and it did not disappoint. It was a lot of fun and non stop action from page one. The characters are great, I love how they are all such good friends. It's also really nice to see such strong women characters. The story is very interesting and who wouldn't love the locations. Iam already attached to the characters and can't wait for more books to be added to the series.
June 1, 2022
Hysterical!
Romantic comedy suspense? Yes!
And it was a complete hoot! When I began this book this morning I became addicted immediately! Harper's idea of helping Grey, a man she's never met, well you definitely want to read to find that out.
This was really a great novel! The characters were completely identifiable, and certifiable. It kept the novel moving at an amazing pace. All throughout I kept laughing.
This was unique, well written, characters you felt you knew, and a storyline that was totally worth it!
I loved it!
A blast!
Karen
Romantic comedy suspense? Yes!
And it was a complete hoot! When I began this book this morning I became addicted immediately! Harper's idea of helping Grey, a man she's never met, well you definitely want to read to find that out.
This was really a great novel! The characters were completely identifiable, and certifiable. It kept the novel moving at an amazing pace. All throughout I kept laughing.
This was unique, well written, characters you felt you knew, and a storyline that was totally worth it!
I loved it!
A blast!
Karen
July 5, 2022
I was expecting a suspense/romance....and this DID NOT deliver....the witty banter was good but couldn't really tell at first that the two protagonists were actually in a relationship....was way too platonic.....and I don't believe an author has to get very graphic to depict a growing relationship......but come on all we got was a few "pecks" to the cheek.....bought the next two based on the blurbs on the first one...buyers regret....(yes I am aware that is MY EXPECTATIONS that were disappointed!
September 3, 2021
Fun fun read
This was a really fun read and I loved the characters and the story line, just seen this book on my goodreads page and seen it got good ratings and bought it and read it and loved it.
What’s sucked is this is a new series and it looks like I have to wait for the next book to come out as I wanted to start reading another great series with books already having been written 😁
This was a really fun read and I loved the characters and the story line, just seen this book on my goodreads page and seen it got good ratings and bought it and read it and loved it.
What’s sucked is this is a new series and it looks like I have to wait for the next book to come out as I wanted to start reading another great series with books already having been written 😁
December 27, 2021
I liked this book, but I also found it a bit confusing. I'm all for the sex scenes happening "behind the bedroom door", but usually you get an idea of what is happening. This book dropped a line about the main characters "doing it" but that was the extent of that.
Don't get me started about how off Grey's reaction was to waking up handcuffed to the bed hearing about the reason why. It didn't seem likely at all, and was kind of jarring.
Don't get me started about how off Grey's reaction was to waking up handcuffed to the bed hearing about the reason why. It didn't seem likely at all, and was kind of jarring.
July 12, 2023
Not Your Everyday Murder Mystery
This book is the first in a clean mystery series. The story had me grinning and laughing throughout. There is no blood, gore, sex, or bad language. The plot has some nice twists and turns. The characters include smart-mouthed grannies, exceptionally talented nerds, and lots of wealthy people. There were several parts to the plot that not only had I not guessed, they weren't even on my radar! I am off to go read the next in the series!
This book is the first in a clean mystery series. The story had me grinning and laughing throughout. There is no blood, gore, sex, or bad language. The plot has some nice twists and turns. The characters include smart-mouthed grannies, exceptionally talented nerds, and lots of wealthy people. There were several parts to the plot that not only had I not guessed, they weren't even on my radar! I am off to go read the next in the series!
March 18, 2025
Fun, quirky mystery escape.
This book starts off with an event that will leave your jaw dropping open as you try to discover the reason (for the event) and get to know some truly interesting characters while unraveling the mystery. The description of the life of the rich, young and beautiful in a setting so incredible will fascinate you as the story unfolds. A really good read.
This book starts off with an event that will leave your jaw dropping open as you try to discover the reason (for the event) and get to know some truly interesting characters while unraveling the mystery. The description of the life of the rich, young and beautiful in a setting so incredible will fascinate you as the story unfolds. A really good read.
July 18, 2025
I think I might have enjoyed it more if the book didn't start so abruptly and it didn't feel like these 2 started bantering without any actual connection. I get the lighthearted rom-coms as much as the next girl but the suspension of disbelief here felt very cozy mystery style and frankly just did not work for me.
I did enjoy the story as we progressed after making an active effort of forget how it all started.
2 stars from me and will not be reading onwards.
I did enjoy the story as we progressed after making an active effort of forget how it all started.
2 stars from me and will not be reading onwards.
August 21, 2021
This falls into the Young Adult category. Not the same type of series as Madison and Fab. The relationship between Harper and Grey was very ambiguous. After reading the book I am still not sure they are in a relationship. The scene were she is on the bed and he appears to be getting changed in her closet? What was going on there? Did not make sense.
August 24, 2021
A great start…
….to a new series from Deborah Brown. Very interesting beginning with the kidnapping and the subject story. Love the characters of Harper and Grey and how their romance develops over the course of the story. Very interesting story and, for me, had no idea who the killer was. Looking forward to book 2.
….to a new series from Deborah Brown. Very interesting beginning with the kidnapping and the subject story. Love the characters of Harper and Grey and how their romance develops over the course of the story. Very interesting story and, for me, had no idea who the killer was. Looking forward to book 2.
September 5, 2021
Nice Try, but…
If I hadn’t already read all(or most all) of Ms. Brown’s Paradise series books, I’d probably like this one better. However, it reads too much like a copycat version of a Paradise story. Moreover, these characters really aren’t as engaging as Madison and her cohorts are.
If I hadn’t already read all(or most all) of Ms. Brown’s Paradise series books, I’d probably like this one better. However, it reads too much like a copycat version of a Paradise story. Moreover, these characters really aren’t as engaging as Madison and her cohorts are.
October 17, 2021
Good story-just missing pieces
The story was good, but it seemed to start too quickly. There wasn’t enough background info available, and characters who should be suspicious were way too trusting. I liked the story, but would have liked other character perspectives. I will give the next in the series a try, though
The story was good, but it seemed to start too quickly. There wasn’t enough background info available, and characters who should be suspicious were way too trusting. I liked the story, but would have liked other character perspectives. I will give the next in the series a try, though
October 22, 2021
This is the first in the Key Biscayne Bay Series with Harper Finn and her friends. The beginning of the book draws you in as she searches for her father and discovers he isn’t who he says he is. She tries to prevent a hired killing by kidnapping the possible victim. A wonderful” who done it” with romance thrown in too. I loved the gram character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2022
Cute, funny mystery
This is a first read of this author. Found it through an ad on Facebook and thought I would give it a go. I enjoyed reading about Harper and Grey. If you like cute, cozy mysteries...this is for you. If you have never read one, give it a try. Everything was well written. The characters, plot. Definitely worth a read.
This is a first read of this author. Found it through an ad on Facebook and thought I would give it a go. I enjoyed reading about Harper and Grey. If you like cute, cozy mysteries...this is for you. If you have never read one, give it a try. Everything was well written. The characters, plot. Definitely worth a read.
June 4, 2022
4.5
Drama, exciting characters and humor keep you glued to the pages of this book. Of course, a yummy x police officer is in one of the staring roles! Debra Brown is head and shoulders above some of the mystery writers I have read. Her books are fast paced and often, hilarious.
Drama, exciting characters and humor keep you glued to the pages of this book. Of course, a yummy x police officer is in one of the staring roles! Debra Brown is head and shoulders above some of the mystery writers I have read. Her books are fast paced and often, hilarious.
January 4, 2023
Fun and quirky read
I wasn't sure if I could get into the premise of this book, but I ended up really enjoying it. It is a combination of romantic comedy and romantic suspense. It's a lighthearted read, and it was a nice change from some of the darker romantic suspense that I usually read.
I wasn't sure if I could get into the premise of this book, but I ended up really enjoying it. It is a combination of romantic comedy and romantic suspense. It's a lighthearted read, and it was a nice change from some of the darker romantic suspense that I usually read.
July 15, 2024
The only reason I gave this three stars was because I was lost at the beginning of the story…she kidnaps Gray and then they are boyfriend and girlfriend…did I fall asleep for that part??? It did keep me laughing at their relationship and Grams was very funny. I was looking for something funny and with a little mystery and it didn’t fail in that department.
August 21, 2021
Fun, lighthearted series
Yes there’s some mystery to this book, but the title and description did not necessarily describe the book. It was fun, entertaining, over the top, cute… I have read other books by Brown and the characters’s quirkiness definitely is in line with her writing style. This was a fun, quick read. Brown does a nice job creating an entertaining new series.
Yes there’s some mystery to this book, but the title and description did not necessarily describe the book. It was fun, entertaining, over the top, cute… I have read other books by Brown and the characters’s quirkiness definitely is in line with her writing style. This was a fun, quick read. Brown does a nice job creating an entertaining new series.
August 19, 2021
It all started with an innocent kidnapping.
Harper Finn is nosing around at her missing fathers office when she makes the mistake of answering the phone. From that point on nobodies life will ever be the same again.
Harper Finn is nosing around at her missing fathers office when she makes the mistake of answering the phone. From that point on nobodies life will ever be the same again.
August 28, 2021
I really enjoyed this first book in this new series. The characters have a lot of of excitement, sass, and a lot of hidden skills. Which makes you wanting to keep reading to see what will happen next.
September 19, 2021
Best author
I loved this book. You managed another set of characters to love. The Paradise series is so much fun, I didn’t think another series could top it. Thank goodness I was wrong.
I loved this book. You managed another set of characters to love. The Paradise series is so much fun, I didn’t think another series could top it. Thank goodness I was wrong.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews