Emerald Coast: Free Money

In Guillebeau’s appealing second Florida mystery featuring police detectives John Blackbeard and Brad Terry (after 2014’s Shark’s Tooth), Blackbeard and Terry investigate a murder at the Emerald Coast Beach Hilton, where Evonda DeFuniak, a maid, found Albert Keeper shot once in the head in his room, apparently the victim of a professional killer. Initial queries determine that Keeper has “no next of kin or occupation.” A few hours earlier, another maid, who uses the name Lizzie Borden, came across the body and decided to take off with a bag near it containing $2 million in cash. Borden later rationalizes the theft because she hopes to use the money to get back what was stolen from her—rights to the songs she’s written and performed as a rock star. The antics of the inept hit man, who forgot to retrieve the millions, and an unlikely romance between Borden and Terry keep the tone light. Tim Dorsey fans will be pleased. [em](BookLife) [/em]