What do you think?
Charlie Crawford Mystery #18
The Battle of Palm Beach
What happens when a group of new money upstarts attempt to take over Palm Beach’s most venerable, old guard, club? A battle royale where every rule in the book is thrown out the window.
Labeled ’nouveau entertainers', and worse, this gang, including a rich actor, a bawdy talk show host, two rock stars, and a billionaire rag trader, want what they’re told they can’t have... and are prepared to pay top dollar for it. But, if that doesn’t work, they’re going to fight like hell for it.
And before too long it gets nasty…and deadly. That’s when Palm Beach homicide detectives, Charlie Crawford and Mort Ott, step in. Turns out they’ve got a horse in the race, but last thing they want to do is let it show.
"Turner's Palm Beach is a blend of desperate criminals, social climbers, merciless billionaires and surprising heroes," said Publishers Weekly.
“A highly entertaining and amusing ride,” according to Kirkus Reviews.
"Taut and efficient," Booklist said, and added, "it's a pleasure to watch craftsmen at work, and that describes the author as well as the cops.”
Labeled ’nouveau entertainers', and worse, this gang, including a rich actor, a bawdy talk show host, two rock stars, and a billionaire rag trader, want what they’re told they can’t have... and are prepared to pay top dollar for it. But, if that doesn’t work, they’re going to fight like hell for it.
And before too long it gets nasty…and deadly. That’s when Palm Beach homicide detectives, Charlie Crawford and Mort Ott, step in. Turns out they’ve got a horse in the race, but last thing they want to do is let it show.
"Turner's Palm Beach is a blend of desperate criminals, social climbers, merciless billionaires and surprising heroes," said Publishers Weekly.
“A highly entertaining and amusing ride,” according to Kirkus Reviews.
"Taut and efficient," Booklist said, and added, "it's a pleasure to watch craftsmen at work, and that describes the author as well as the cops.”
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2025
About the author
Tom Turner
32 books97 followersA native New Englander, Tom Turner ran a bar in Vermont after college, then moved to New York and spent time as an award-winning copywriter at several Manhattan advertising agencies.
After years of post-Mad Men life, he made a radical change and got a job in commercial real estate. A few years later he ended up in Palm Beach, buying, renovating and selling houses. On the side, he wrote Palm Beach Nasty, its sequel, Palm Beach Poison, and a screenplay, Underwater.
While at a wedding, he fell for the charm of Charleston, South Carolina, and moved there. He recently completed his third novel entitled, Killing Time in Charleston.
After years of post-Mad Men life, he made a radical change and got a job in commercial real estate. A few years later he ended up in Palm Beach, buying, renovating and selling houses. On the side, he wrote Palm Beach Nasty, its sequel, Palm Beach Poison, and a screenplay, Underwater.
While at a wedding, he fell for the charm of Charleston, South Carolina, and moved there. He recently completed his third novel entitled, Killing Time in Charleston.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 17, 2025
The Battle Of Palm Beach - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Palm Beach Detectives Charlie Crawford and Mort Ott are back in rip-roaring action in Thomas Turner's latest extravaganza,The Battle Of Palm Beach.
A group of film and music celebrities cause uproar with their ambitious plans for a famous local golf club, which is the reason for the eponymous battle.
But why are the dynamic duo chasing a fugitive...and what's the link, if any?
My lips are sealed, so get ready to grab yourself a thrill-a-minute, sure-to-be-bestseller with The Battle Of Palm Beach as soon as it launches - it's fabulous!
Palm Beach Detectives Charlie Crawford and Mort Ott are back in rip-roaring action in Thomas Turner's latest extravaganza,The Battle Of Palm Beach.
A group of film and music celebrities cause uproar with their ambitious plans for a famous local golf club, which is the reason for the eponymous battle.
But why are the dynamic duo chasing a fugitive...and what's the link, if any?
My lips are sealed, so get ready to grab yourself a thrill-a-minute, sure-to-be-bestseller with The Battle Of Palm Beach as soon as it launches - it's fabulous!
April 22, 2026
Installments in this series just keep getting worse and worse. Bunch of billionaires who share one, maybe two, brain cells, the usual travelogue (really smacks of the author justifying trip as a business expense), and I don’t know how many words wasted translating very well know Britishisms. Could be worse, but I don’t know how.
May 17, 2025
42-2025. Charlie and Mort solve a murder of a rock star in Palm Beach. Usual banter and amused laughter ok at the very rich folks in that area. Fun side plot about some new money people trying to take over the old money golf club, too. :-)
January 21, 2026
Get An Editor
And Someone who has a better grasp of the English Language and slang and common phrases. AI doesn’t do such a good job. And it’s obvious that YOU are a poor self-editor.
And Someone who has a better grasp of the English Language and slang and common phrases. AI doesn’t do such a good job. And it’s obvious that YOU are a poor self-editor.
July 4, 2026
Another Turner page turner.
Once again, Tom Turner opens the closet of one of Palm Beaches sacred cows. Letting the outsiders view and this time attack what had been a longtime bastion of Palm Beach society. Join the fun. It is a Wild ride.
Once again, Tom Turner opens the closet of one of Palm Beaches sacred cows. Letting the outsiders view and this time attack what had been a longtime bastion of Palm Beach society. Join the fun. It is a Wild ride.
May 14, 2025
Disappointed
Not up to the standard of previous Turner books. The snappy dialogue is there but the story is pretty light weight. Maybe the next one will be redemptive.
Not up to the standard of previous Turner books. The snappy dialogue is there but the story is pretty light weight. Maybe the next one will be redemptive.
May 19, 2025
Love This Series
Always look forward to Charlie Crawford Series!❤️ Great characters, good plots, quick reads. I wish the books weren't such quick reads!
Always look forward to Charlie Crawford Series!❤️ Great characters, good plots, quick reads. I wish the books weren't such quick reads!
June 30, 2025
Great Book
Another great book by tom turner this book should be a ten star book I highly recommend this book to everyone Dorothy Schaefer
Another great book by tom turner this book should be a ten star book I highly recommend this book to everyone Dorothy Schaefer
July 22, 2025
Surprise
Lots of twists and turns. I didn't guess who did it until Charlie did too. Why he is rare for me
Could have had a better proof reader but a fun read.
Lots of twists and turns. I didn't guess who did it until Charlie did too. Why he is rare for me
Could have had a better proof reader but a fun read.
September 2, 2025
.Of you enjoy Turner stories..
You will like this one. It is not the best one yet,but still keeps me coming back. Very funny and lighthearted.
You will like this one. It is not the best one yet,but still keeps me coming back. Very funny and lighthearted.
July 29, 2025
Charlie and Mort or always a good read! I have never read anything by Tom Turner that was not entertaining!!!! If you like this series then read the rest of his series they’re all a fun read!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews