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Book Review of Island Murders (Carroll Davenport, Bk 1)

Island Murders (Carroll Davenport, Bk 1)
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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!