Chasing Tropical Ice

by Elizabeth Worley

🌴In the highlands of Panama, a jungle conspiracy turns deadly—and two women are caught in the crosshairs.🌴

All Augusta wanted was inspiration. All her partner Kaye, a retired Air Force pilot, wanted was a quiet escape. Instead, they stumble onto a deadly smuggling ring—and a woman who’s vanished without a trace. Powerful men will do anything to keep the truth buried. Now Augusta and Kaye are targets.

But not all power belongs to men. One uber-powerful woman—an arch-villainess in her own right—may be the only one who can turn the tide against them. But at what cost and to whom?

Murder, greed, and corruption thrive in these mountains—shielded by silence and fear. But Augusta and Kaye aren’t backing down. If they fail, the truth dies with them.

A gripping feminist thriller packed with mystery, suspense, and sharp social insight, Chasing Tropical Ice delivers strong female protagonists, deadly intrigue, and a setting as dangerous as the secrets it hides. A must-read for fans of LGBTQ+ thrillers, morally complex heroines, and feminist noir fiction.

🔥 Some secrets are buried deep. Some fight their way to the surface. 🔥

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2025

About the author

I live on the side of a volcano in Panama with my loving partner, Dianne. Years ago, I knew I wanted something, somewhere…different. Life in a foreign country, with adventure and challenge. I found it.

The years have been rich. I have learned to grow coffee and medicinal plants. Along the way, I taught English in a local university and in a milk factory. I published a memoir, Risking Everything: Coming Out in Coffee Land, as well as a book about coffee, Romancing the Bean.

In 2008, amid the global recession, Dianne and I started Cloud Forest Botanicals, a small, woman-owned business handcrafting herbal tinctures and creams. It was challenging, but our business grew and is now quite successful.

We have traveled to China, Australia, England, Scotland, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Portugal, France, and Chile. We walked the whole five hundred miles of the Camino de Santiago in 2017!

It’s been quite a ride. And we are always on the lookout for the next adventure. Next stop, Iceland!

Reviews

[Lisa Heidke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured Chasing Tropical Ice in a couple of sittings. Elizabeth Worley has skilfully woven a gripping thriller that combines crime, adventure, diamonds, dogs, and feminist empowerment. I loved the two leads, Augusta (Gus), a journalist, whose voice is written in first person, and her lover, Kaye (written in third person), a retired Air Force pilot. Despite wanting to live a peaceful life on their rambling farm in the misty highlands of Panama, the two women unwittingly become involved in an international smuggling ring, priceless diamonds, piranhas and some malevolent men (and women) when their friend, Charmaine, goes missing whist staying with them. I especially enjoyed the vivid imagery and scene setting, as well as all the local references and titbits about expats living in Panama. An enthralling page-turner with a cracking ending.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic and fun read! The characters are well developed. The setting is lush. And the storyline is crisp.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride!
Chasing Tropical Ice was gripping from the first page till the final chapters conclusion!
With characters that are each fully developed as they become wrapped up in this tar baby of mystery & intrigue so much so that the reader can hardly put the book down as ones curiosity grows exponentially while approaching the final climax of the story!
I am looking forward to the next book in this ongoing story…👍🏼

[Leonie Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Tropical Ice is a powerhouse of a thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. Augusta and Kaye are the kind of fierce, intelligent women you can’t help but root for flawed, brave, and deeply real. The story masterfully blends mystery, danger, and social depth, shining a sharp light on corruption and power dynamics while keeping the tension sky-high.

The pacing is perfect every chapter tightens the suspense, and the mountain setting feels so alive it almost becomes a character itself. I loved how the book celebrates strength and resilience, especially through its unapologetically feminist tone and complex female leads.

If you love thrillers with substance, LGBTQ+ representation, and strong moral stakes, this one’s a must-read. Bold, gripping, and thought provoking Chasing Tropical Ice absolutely delivers!

[Elise Freund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Tropical Ice is a powerhouse of a thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. Augusta and Kaye are the kind of fierce, intelligent women you can’t help but root for, flawed, brave, and deeply real. The story masterfully blends mystery, danger, and social depth, shining a sharp light on corruption and power dynamics while keeping the tension sky high. The pacing is perfect, every chapter tightens the suspense, and the mountain setting feels so alive it almost becomes a character itself. I loved how the book celebrates strength and resilience, especially through its unapologetically feminist tone and complex female leads. If you love thrillers with substance, LGBTQ+ representation, and strong moral stakes, this one’s a must-read. Bold, gripping, and thought provoking absolutely delivers.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected twists with a cathartic hook at the end!

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next! I have always loved mysteries but have been stuck on fantasy for at least 20 years. I decided to give this book a shot and I am so glad I did. Even with my busy schedule it kept me coming back to read more. I had no idea where the story was headed and was quite surprised when I got there, and it is sooo left open for more! I think most women will find the end of this book quite catharitc and looking forward to where Kali takes us!

[Mostly Sapphic Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting queer twist on the international thriller genre. While this type of thriller isn't my personal favorite genre, there's plenty of action - both campy and serious - for those that do enjoy it. The main antagonist Kali is genuinely one of the more complex "villains" I've read in a while, and I liked the moral grey areas this book explored. I found myself more drawn in as the story went on.

[Anne Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and finished it in 2 days. The story was an exciting mystery with believable characters that were well developed. It always fun reading about a place you live or have been to and I didnt expect it to end the way it did.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific page-turner. Main characters were admirable, feisty women who did not back down. Villains were suitably vile and the karmic comeuppance was so very satisfying. Eagerly awaiting sequel.

[C Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Tropical Ice
had me from the very start!!!!

It is a captivating, compelling, action adventure with plot twists at every turn. I literally had to force myself to stop reading multiple times to save some for later.

It was awesome to be transported to the lush mountains and tropical islands of Panamá, while enjoying a masterfully crafted action adventure filled mystery, rich with intelligent, powerful, brilliant, fearless and quirky heroines deeply connected to their own unique stories and passionately committed to their lives and missions.

The vivid descriptions and well-developed characters make this a must-read for those seeking an escape into a beautiful world of intrigue and adventure with a conscious message and where women are the stars of the show!!!