Tropical Warnings

In the course of a year, a secret admirer has slowly become more invasive and menacing to the loved ones of Laura Madison. As a beautiful woman, she is used to having to work terribly hard in order to be taken seriously. As the manager of the Big Pines Key RV Resort, she is used to being in control of situations and managing difficulties that come to hand. Business has left her little leisure time and the person who signs himself as Slippery is convinced that they are separated by her obligations to work and family. This is one problem that has only been worsening and it becomes clear Laura can’t handle this on her own.

A mutual friend has talked to David Jennings about a woman who is receiving unwanted and anonymous attention. This semi-retired marshal arts instructor has dedicated himself to catching stalkers after having experienced the situation of being a victim first-hand.

When Laura and David meet sparks fly. His determination to rid her life of Slippery leads him to pose as her boyfriend while he proceeds with his investigation. But even as the unknown and unstable person begins to be more destructive and violent, the role playing becomes less of an act.

It was a pleasure to become acquainted with the hero and heroine. Their personalities led them to be somewhat at odds even with the undercurrent of an undeniable attraction running through their relationship.

David is laid back though efficient and protective. There is something to be said of a man who knows how to fight well against a villain but has enough control not to try to force issues with a woman he finds irresistible. This is not to say that his is the perfect personality with his mild vanity, indulgence of his whims, and ability to leap to conclusions regarding his love interest. All of those details, however, make him more real for his genuine appeal to us.

Growing up good looking has had its down side. It is clear that Laura has toiled to rise above her outer surface and the assumptions that people associate with such. Her need to be self-sufficient and supremely competent is shown in detail from the chip on her shoulder. One wonders initially how she finds any fun in her life, but this is a misleading aspect to a warm hearted character who has had to face down stereotype even from those who should have known better.

TROPICAL WARNINGS is a suspenseful and well-paced mystery that will keep readers turning the pages. David’s actions to flush the stalker out into the open leads to malicious acts by their prey. We are given a handful of suspects to ponder as indications that this Slippery situation is coming to a head twines with mounting tension over the true identity of the perpetrator. When the exciting conclusion to the mystery comes will you have guessed the stalker’s identity? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

November 2006