The Brass Cupcake Author:John D. MacDonald Ex-cop Cliff Bartells might be the last honest man in Florence City, Florida. After quitting the force over a crisis of conscience, he takes a job at an insurance company buying back stolen jewelry. Cliff is focused on keeping the bottom line down and staying out of the spotlight. — But when an affluent tourist from Boston is murdered over a heft... more »y collection of jewelry, Cliff finds himself wrapped up in a case that’s making national headlines. With the victim’s beautiful niece, Melody Chance, determined to help retrieve the goods, suddenly Cliff has the partner he never knew he wanted. Now all they need is a suspect: someone capable of cold-blooded murder in the name of profit. And that could mean anyone in this crooked town.« less
Set in the 1950's in Florida, an ex-cop - now insurance recovery man, takes on a case that could be his last. To solve the case he has to battle small town politics, organized crime, and his own heart.