Midnight on the Mississippi

The swamps and cities of south Louisiana hide a myriad of crime scenes and suspicions, most of which point to wealthy, handsome, and upright Hunter Galen, a securities broker whose business partner has been murdered. Financial malfeasance and personal grievances cause local police to focus their energies on Hunter, who fights back with the help of independent PI Nicki Price. Haunted by her father's death years ago in the swamp, which may have been murder, Nicki faces her own demons as she pursues the truth regarding Hunter's partner. Undeterred by Hunter's beautiful but spoiled girlfriend, to whom he is practically engaged, Hunter and Nicki forge a professional partnership that deepens into a romantic connection. Their escapades beautifully showcase the south Louisiana culture and topography. If not for the weakly written antagonists and recurrent clich%C3%A9s, this first installment of the Secrets of the South Mysteries series would shine. However, Hunter and Nicki carry the plot and should make readers willing to give this series a chance. (Aug.)