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Jersey Barnes Mystery #1
Southern Fatality
Immerse yourself in the magical port city atmosphere of Wilmington, North Carolina and visit The Block-- a historic building situated on the Cape Fear River that serves as a grill and pub downstairs and cozy living quarters upstairs. But don't get too comfortable, because when the sexy and hard-hitting security specialist Jersey Barnes stumbles into a scheme that will steal millions of dollars from American taxpayers, you'll want to go along for the ride!
Who has kidnapped the son of Samuel Chesterfield, celebrity owner of a nationally known brokerage firm chain? Who plans to steal a fortune from innocent, hard-working citizens? And why do people around Samuel Chesterfield keep dropping dead?
Find out by reading the first Jersey Barnes mystery--available now!
Who has kidnapped the son of Samuel Chesterfield, celebrity owner of a nationally known brokerage firm chain? Who plans to steal a fortune from innocent, hard-working citizens? And why do people around Samuel Chesterfield keep dropping dead?
Find out by reading the first Jersey Barnes mystery--available now!
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 2007
26 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
T. Lynn Ocean
10 books40 followersT. Lynn Ocean was first published in the 'North Myrtle Beach Times' (a small town weekly) but only after getting on one knee to beg the editor and offering to write for free. That was in 1995 and T. Lynn wrote the 'Humor Me' column for a year.
She went on to write freelance for various magazines and newspapers but her passion has always been fiction. Her first book, 'Fool Me Once', was published by St. Martin's Press in 2005. The best thing about writing fiction, T. Lynn will tell you, is that you get to make everything up. (Although some would argue that much of what they read in the newspaper is pure fiction, too.)
Between extended visits with her computer keyboard, she enjoys impromptu road trips (in the name of research, of course), brainstorming with friends, and eating great food anywhere with a view.
An outdoor enthusiast, T. Lynn Ocean lives in Little River, SC, with her husband and a few furry critters.
She went on to write freelance for various magazines and newspapers but her passion has always been fiction. Her first book, 'Fool Me Once', was published by St. Martin's Press in 2005. The best thing about writing fiction, T. Lynn will tell you, is that you get to make everything up. (Although some would argue that much of what they read in the newspaper is pure fiction, too.)
Between extended visits with her computer keyboard, she enjoys impromptu road trips (in the name of research, of course), brainstorming with friends, and eating great food anywhere with a view.
An outdoor enthusiast, T. Lynn Ocean lives in Little River, SC, with her husband and a few furry critters.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 25, 2008
Don't believe the people who say it is Stephanie Plum but in the south. Jersey has the ability to actually do the work, not bumble around like Stephanie. She is very competent in spying, fighting, tailing, all those good PI skills. She seems to be less honest with herself about her personal life than Stephanie. There are still moments of humor. People who have been to Wilmington and/or live there will no doubt get a kick out of reading about places they know. I agree with the review that said we could do without so many descriptions of her boobs. It was a fun read.
May 20, 2014
A fun read! Set in the historic district of Wilmington, NC, author, Ocean has been called the Janet Evanovich of the South. I love her main character, Jersey Barnes, a retired government "something" (not exactly an agent, but real close). She's come home after "retiring" from the biz, but gets tied up in an investigation for an old girlfriend of her current boyfriend.
With assistance from her best friend, Ox; her father, Spud; town detective, Dirk and her father's poker buddies, their investigation turns into a laugh-out-loud story.
With assistance from her best friend, Ox; her father, Spud; town detective, Dirk and her father's poker buddies, their investigation turns into a laugh-out-loud story.
January 23, 2008
Jersey Barnes is a government "spy" and the book starts on the day of her retirement. Things don't go exactly as planned, and she is persuaded to take a job for a friend of her boyfriend to find out if her husband is cheating. One thing leads to another, and before Jersey knows it she is in the middle of a kidnapping. I was quite surprised by the ending. I can't wait to read more about Jersey and her adventures in retirement.
February 12, 2008
Super enjoyable -- good plot, interesting ensemble cast around the protagonist, and while I could have done without the repeated descriptions of Jersey's boobs, I really enjoyed it a lot. Think Janet Evanovich set in the South.
I'm bummed the CHPL doesn't have Ocean's other novels; I may finally have to shell out for an out-of-county borrower's card at the Durham Public Library.
I'm bummed the CHPL doesn't have Ocean's other novels; I may finally have to shell out for an out-of-county borrower's card at the Durham Public Library.
February 19, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. The heroine is spunky and full of it with a government paid for boob job and a kick ass attitude. We allknow how i love that. Mystery, a goofy father, and a coupla hot doods complete the story line... fun and I'm sure to read more of her books in the future
November 20, 2008
A little more fun than Sue Grafton but not as crazy as Janet Evanovich. I thought it was a fun read and am eager to read her next adventure with Jersey Barnes.
September 15, 2022
"Southern Fatality", first book in the Jersey Barnes series, is a good read with a better than average plot and a strong cast of supporting characters.
What stops it from being a great read is that it is somewhat predictable, and Jersey fails to really stand out.
Former Government Agent Jersey has just announced her retirement from her security firm. She's set for some sailing and loving with her actor boyfriend Bill until he introduces her to a former school friend who is convinced that her husband is cheating on her.
Despite her protestations she gets dragged into an investigation which soon expands far beyond her expectation - kidnapping, murder and hacking.
I felt the book mostly ambled along, only upping the pace at the end. It kept me interested but never really pulled me in.
3 Stars.
What stops it from being a great read is that it is somewhat predictable, and Jersey fails to really stand out.
Former Government Agent Jersey has just announced her retirement from her security firm. She's set for some sailing and loving with her actor boyfriend Bill until he introduces her to a former school friend who is convinced that her husband is cheating on her.
Despite her protestations she gets dragged into an investigation which soon expands far beyond her expectation - kidnapping, murder and hacking.
I felt the book mostly ambled along, only upping the pace at the end. It kept me interested but never really pulled me in.
3 Stars.
October 29, 2017
I was not expecting much when I picked up this book but I was quite surprised. A bunch of quirky characters and an interesting mystery made this a very enjoyable read. I did identify the murderer but the end still has a surprise twist. I would read more in this series.
June 27, 2019
I loved this book! I'm disappointed there are only 2 more in the series. I've seen a lot of reviews on here comparing this series to Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich. These are way better! Stephanie is an airhead. Jersey knows what she's doing and has a sense of humor.
July 17, 2021
1st in series. This book was hysterical! The author is from SC which is my home state. I knew a lot of the places she was talking about. It was a great mystery & I thought I had it figured out but I was wrong. Can’t wait to read the others
February 23, 2018
Lite female mysteries for Evanovich fans
January 1, 2024
Jersey Barnes gives Stephanie Plum vibes
January 30, 2013
4.5 Stars
Jersey Barnes is a strong and independent woman. She is ready to begin an early and relaxing retirement, after working several years as a private security specialist. Unfortunately, her dream is postponed when her boyfriend, Bill, asks her to help his friend. Jersey takes on this supposedly simple task of surveillance for a few days, yet she is quickly thrust back into a world of kidnapping and an internet virus capable of stealing hundreds of millions dollars. Thankfully she has some reliable friends and family that can back her up, if needed.
T. Lynn Ocean has created a high stakes, adrenaline filled world, which has typically been reserved for male characters. However her main character, Jersey Barnes, is one tough woman that can take down any bad guy, while still wearing fashionable lingerie. This book is the first in a series that promises to keep up the adventure and crime fighting. Ocean provides comic relief in the form of Jersey’s dad, Spud and his buddies who somehow manage to always get themselves in trouble. Readers will become instant fans of Ocean’s writing abilities and will be on the hunt to find the next book.
Notes:
A copy of this book was loaned to me by My Sister's Books Bookstore for review. To learn more about this store, please visit their website at http://www.mysistersbooks.com
This review was originally posted on my website, Ariesgrl Book Reviews. To learn more about my reviews, please visit: http://ariesgrlreviews.com
Jersey Barnes is a strong and independent woman. She is ready to begin an early and relaxing retirement, after working several years as a private security specialist. Unfortunately, her dream is postponed when her boyfriend, Bill, asks her to help his friend. Jersey takes on this supposedly simple task of surveillance for a few days, yet she is quickly thrust back into a world of kidnapping and an internet virus capable of stealing hundreds of millions dollars. Thankfully she has some reliable friends and family that can back her up, if needed.
T. Lynn Ocean has created a high stakes, adrenaline filled world, which has typically been reserved for male characters. However her main character, Jersey Barnes, is one tough woman that can take down any bad guy, while still wearing fashionable lingerie. This book is the first in a series that promises to keep up the adventure and crime fighting. Ocean provides comic relief in the form of Jersey’s dad, Spud and his buddies who somehow manage to always get themselves in trouble. Readers will become instant fans of Ocean’s writing abilities and will be on the hunt to find the next book.
Notes:
A copy of this book was loaned to me by My Sister's Books Bookstore for review. To learn more about this store, please visit their website at http://www.mysistersbooks.com
This review was originally posted on my website, Ariesgrl Book Reviews. To learn more about my reviews, please visit: http://ariesgrlreviews.com
December 19, 2012
Jersey Barnes, a former military “agent” turned private security investigator has recently retired to quiet Wilmington, North Carolina. Ready for a break, she’s looking forward to spending quality time with her boyfriend Bill and cruising the coast on her beautiful fully-stocked boat. But, when Bill’s ex-girlfriend suspects her new husband of cheating, he convinces Jersey to take the case. She uses her ample super-spy skills to investigate the husband but in the process discovers something more sinister. Someone’s planning to steal millions from hard-working Americans using a computer virus and they’ve kidnapped a broker to get the job done. All the while, Jersey must keep her retired-cop father and his senior citizen poker buddies from getting into too much trouble of their own. Jersey calls on her resources to thwart the plot just in time.
It was a believable cast of characters in a high-action fast-paced mystery that’s perfect beach reading. Its humor balances the thrills perfectly. It was fun and unpredictable with a surprise ending I definitely didn’t see coming. I’m waiting with bated breath to see what Jersey gets into next.
See what the REAL MYSTERY about this book is on www.therealmystery.wordpress.com
It was a believable cast of characters in a high-action fast-paced mystery that’s perfect beach reading. Its humor balances the thrills perfectly. It was fun and unpredictable with a surprise ending I definitely didn’t see coming. I’m waiting with bated breath to see what Jersey gets into next.
See what the REAL MYSTERY about this book is on www.therealmystery.wordpress.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2013
Jersey Barnes thinks she has retired from a career as a security specialist only to find herself knee-deep doing surveillance on a possible cheating spouse as a favor for her boyfriend's college friend. That job quickly blossoms into a full out kidnapping and cyber-hacking crime, dubbed Social Insecurity, that would steal millions from hard-working Americans nationwide. The plot includes a variety of characters: Ox, her best friend and business partner; Spud, her aging ex-cop dad; Cracker, her faithful dog; various poker buddies of Spud; and Dirk, local cop.
I really liked Jersey; she's independent, sassy, and very capable with a gun. The plot moved along steadily and mixed humor, action and a little bit of romance together for a very delightful read. I will definitely spend another afternoon in the company of Jersey Barnes.
I really liked Jersey; she's independent, sassy, and very capable with a gun. The plot moved along steadily and mixed humor, action and a little bit of romance together for a very delightful read. I will definitely spend another afternoon in the company of Jersey Barnes.
April 23, 2021
Humorous mystery with a strong female main character. Lots of action.Jersey is retired from Special Forces and knows some interesting people. She started a detective agency, runs a bar, and tries to keep her dad out of trouble. Loved it.
May 14, 2016
Southern Fatality is a fast paced book that will hook you from the first page. Jersey Barnes, a newly retired private security specialist, is looking forward to spending some time relaxing on her boat with her boyfriend to start her retirement off right. Things do go exactly as planned when her boyfriend "convinces" her to look into a problem for a friend of his. What should be a fairly easy favor gets Jersey caught up in the middle of a kidnapping, and some other hair raising situations. The ending really took me by surprise! You will not be disappointed with this book! I can't wait for Jersey's next adventure!
January 26, 2016
My problem with this book was she wrote it like a TV show script and it was so obvious from the time the mystery was introduced. The beginning was so promising but then she bungled it. I had no choice but to skip to the last chapter the writing made my eyes roll so much I could've had a seizure and guess what? I was right about everything including the very obvious romance angle. If the writing was better I might've been able to stick with it but oh my goodness it was awful!
July 26, 2008
A review for this book said it was the South's answer to Evanovich's Plum series. Not by a long shot. The main character, Jersey Barnes, is a retired marine who is always armed and knows how to kick butt. She solves her cases through intelligence and insight, not dumb luck. Mind you, I am a big fan of the Stephanie Plum books and am always looking for similar reads.
October 19, 2016
I did not care for this book. It was not one I want to read more of the same thing.
Wasn't able to get my attention. No really Interesting subjects in the stories told. I liked other books by the a author but not the mysteries.
Wasn't able to get my attention. No really Interesting subjects in the stories told. I liked other books by the a author but not the mysteries.
November 18, 2007
I couldn't really get into this mystery, which is touted as being a Southern Janet Evanovich. The parallels to the world of Plum were actually kind of distracting from the story itself.
find-and-read
February 13, 2008A says, "Like Janet Evanovich set in the south."
Want to read
July 20, 200807/18/08 rec via pbs
July 19, 2009
This was the first book by this author that I had read. I found T. Lynn Ocean to be a good writer who is entertaining. I will definitely read more books by her.
March 20, 2010
I could not get into this one though the female ex-special agent character should have been appealing.
Read
April 18, 2012The first of the Jersey Barnes series. This is a wild ride and makes you look forward to future titles.
January 1, 2016
Great book-love Jersey Barnes
Spent my the new year reading. This is exactly third jersey barns book I have read, can't wait to get to the next one.
Spent my the new year reading. This is exactly third jersey barns book I have read, can't wait to get to the next one.
January 23, 2016
good for evanovich lovers
November 25, 2016
Fun Read
Liked the way the story line kept you wondering who was really involved. As the plot became clearer, the action became more exciting. The finish was unexpected.
Liked the way the story line kept you wondering who was really involved. As the plot became clearer, the action became more exciting. The finish was unexpected.
Want to read
May 4, 2019Synopsis: Jersey asks, Who has kidnapped the son of the celebrity owner of a nationally-known brokerage firm?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews