Eden Palms Murder

Key West Murder Mystery #1

by Dorothy Brenner Francis

An invitation to spend some time in Key West turns a singer/songwriter into an amateur sleuth. Bailey Green arrives in Key West just in time to discover that her old family friend Francine Shipton has been found murdered. Once Francine's son Zack installs Bailey in residence in the guest cottage as his mother had planned, he presses Bailey to help him find her killer. He's loathe to suspect his realtor Courtney Lusk, who'd like to become Mrs. Zack Shipton; Dr. Gravely, who operates a private clinic in his home; and funeral director Tucker Tisdale. Zack's more inclined to suspect the new yardman, Mitch Mitchell, who's actually Bailey's brother Chet, hidden in Key West by the Federal Witness Protection Program until he can testify against some drug dealers. Bailey herself is falling for Zack but feels obliged to consider him a suspect in his mother's murder. There are, however, other possibilities as well. Because Francine was planning on turning her home into a refuge for the homeless, she was far from popular with her neighbors. As Bailey and Zack cruise the Keys looking for clues, their relationship is threatened by their mutual suspicions. Loving descriptions of Key West are the best part of this forgettable whodunit from Francis

Genres: Mystery

268 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2008

Reviews

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by this author and I couldn't get into it at all.

It was more Romance than Mystery to me even tho the synopsis for this book said more Mystery.

I definitely would not read more books by this author in the future!!

[Alton Motobu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in Key West FL as aspiring songwriter Bailey Green is hired by an old friend to help at a hotel, but the friend is murdered just before Bailey arrives. Handsome Zach Shipton helps her get settled, but sexy Courtney Lusk has her eyes on Zach. Meanwhile Bailey's brother, who is in the witness protection program, comes to town to complicate Bailey's life. Very little flavor and atmosphere of Key West. Story is told mostly through dialogue, but it is stilted and unnatural - normal people do not speak like that. Murder is traced to mad doctor who sold body parts for profit on the black market. Bizarre!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Singer and songwriter Bailey Green comes to Key West at the invitation of her friend and mentor, Francine Shipton. But her arrival is met with police cars at Francine’s estate. Francine is dead. She fell down the stairs, but it’s no accident. The black snake stuffed in her mouth is a clear indication of foul play. At her son’s request, Bailey moves into the guest cottage where she’d planned to stay anyway. Is Zack a suspect? Other than the son, various shady characters could have a motive to stop Francine from turning her estate into a haven for homeless residents. Atmospheric with Key West details, this story kept me guessing until the final shocking surprises at the end.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blues singer/songwriter is somewhat ditzy. I love the setting of Key West. No clues are given except towards the end that have any worth in solving the mystery. Spoiler alert -- the creepy characters are the guilty ones.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the mystery and the way the characters interacted with each other. Did not care much for parts of it.

[Shana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this as a free gift from a local bookshop - I would’ve been mad had I spent money on it. Clunky prose, childish characters, and very little reasoning behind anything happening in the plot.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery

[Shannon Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am 0 for 2 in discarded beach reads I finished up before the year draws to a close. This was cloying, clumsy, and dumb, with a protagonist that was a little too dim and a mystery that was more sappy romance than taut whodunit.

[Tatiana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribly contrived murder/romance. Not what I thought it was going to be. Note to self: Don't read Worldwide mysteries.