Wanda Canada - Island Murders

71. Island Murders by Wanda Canada (2001)
Carroll Davenport Mysteries Series Book 1
Length: 327 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 28 July 2013
Finished: 30 July 2013
Where did it come from? From Bookmooch
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 4 June 2010
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and Wanda Canada is a new author for me.

Figure Eight Island - an island near Wilmington, North Carolina - is the place to live and vacation for a privileged class of Southerners. Definitely not what someone would call a sleepy little hamlet, the island is home to million dollar houses and wealthy opulence. Contractor Carroll Davenport doesn't party with the jet-setters; she builds houses for them. But when an arsonist destroys a house Carroll is building and her job supervisor is found buried under ten feet of topsoil, Carroll is drawn into a world of drug smuggling, corruption and murder. It's enough to ruin her day.

The challenge of keeping Carroll safe becomes increasingly perilous when a rogue cop pegs her as the murderer. Under the ever-watchful eye of Sheriff Stan Council, and with the help of a not-unattractive off-duty FBI agent, Carroll struggles to clear her name - but what she doesn't know could get her, and everyone she loves, killed.

I thought that this book definitely started off strongly, but in my opinion the plot became just the slightest bit implausible towards the end. I also really liked Carroll Davenport as a character in the beginning; however, the constant verbal sparring between her and her handsome off-duty FBI agent-turned-protector tended to get on my nerves - especially if a 'clash of wills' argument suddenly broke out while both of them were being held at gunpoint by someone intent on eliminating them. I give this book an A!

A! - (90-95%)
   
Till we Meet Again, Glow Brightly as Moonlight