Cryptic Marks

by Sally J. Ling

In glamorous 1930s Palm Beach, private investigator Drake Marlow thinks he’s seen it all until a tearful boy hires him to find a missing dog. But Tux was no ordinary mutt. The troublemaker had a knack for showing up where he wasn’t wanted—like behind the hedges of wealthy estates and at the hind end of society’s most guarded pedigree poodles.

As Drake investigates, a scandal erupts involving elite dog shows and socialites with a taste for rough-edged company. The deeper the investigation goes, the more dangerous the truth becomes—especially when a body turns up cold and the line between eccentricity and madness blurs.

Murder, obsession, and forbidden love collide in Cryptic Marks—a darkly elegant whodunit where even the purest pedigree can’t mask the secrets beneath.

ebook

First published September 1, 2025

About the author

Sally J. Ling, Florida’s History Detective, is an author, speaker, and historian. She writes historical nonfiction, specializing in obscure, unusual, or little-known stories of Florida history and mysteries with a Florida connection.

As a special correspondent, Sally wrote for the Sun-Sentinel newspaper for four years and was a contributing journalist for several South Florida magazines.

Based upon her knowledge as well as excerpts from her books, Sally has appeared in three feature-length TV documentaries—“Gangsters,” the National Geographic Channel; “The Secret Weapon that Won World War II,” and “Prohibition and the South Florida Connection,” WLRN, Miami. She served as associate producer on the latter production. She has also appeared in and served as a production consultant for several short documentaries on South Florida history produced by WLRN, Miami.

Sally has been a repeat guest on South Florida PBS TV and radio stations, guest presenter at the Lifelong Learning Society at Florida Atlantic University, and guest speaker at numerous historical societies, libraries, organizations, and schools.

Reviews

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion. I really enjoyed this Drake Marlow story, the third in the series. Set in 1933, this book is easily as good as the previous two. Set in 1933 Palm Beach, Florida, Drake is "hired" by a distressed eight year old by to search for the stray dog that he'd been playing with on the beach and considered his friend. Things get much more complicated as Drake investigates with the help of fiancé Constance, Secretary/assistant investigator, Betty Lou and some time help, resourceful and talented Della.
I really love the author's attention to period details. Whilst reading, I can almost hear the kind of voice I remember from young childhood reading action adventure stories on the radio, the period feel is so expertly created. The action built in this story so that I was reading until the early hours of the morning because I couldn't put it down. I hope there are a lot more to come in this series.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a strong fifth entry in the Drake Marlow series, it had that element that I enjoyed from the previous four books. It uses the historical element that I wanted and enjoyed the overall whodunnit element that was going on in this book. I was engaged from start to finish and thought the characters were so well written and had that element that I was looking for. I enjoyed how the plot was done and how the characters worked overall in this setting. I enjoyed the way Sally J. Ling wrote this and am excited to read more from her as its such a strong concept.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kathryn Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been loving this series - it somehow feels so wholesome without veering into cozy mystery territory and I really enjoy that.

The characters feel familiar without being stale and the way that the story develops kept me turning the pages. On the initial surface of things a fairly straightforward story but as time goes by more and more layers of intrigue and twists are revealed.

Still, Drake of course is able to untangle everything in the end, even if he again manages to get into some trouble along the way.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is set in 1933 Palm beach, FL
Drake Marlow, a detective agreed to take a case from an 8 yr old boy who busted into his office.

The boy. Oliver.use to hang at the beach with a dog named Tux. He is missing and the boy is so upset.

Drake starts to unravel the mystery clue by clue. It is fun to follow and is not difficult. This I like some stories are too complicated.

Thanks to BookSirens who suggested I leave a review at Goodreads for giving me this book for my honest review.

The characters are done well. The clues follow up to an interesting conclusion. Even though there is a dead person.

I recommend this mystery it is a fun easy read for the summer.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is pure fun and Drake Marlow ensures that it is! A young boy, Oliver, hires Drake to find the whereabouts of a stray dog, Tux, who has disappeared. I was quite curious as to how Mr. Marlow was going to accomplish this, but he follows a series of logical and methodical steps. What he finds along the way is often surprising, never dull.

I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but now I will hunt them down. The characters are well developed and charming and the plot is unique. I would recommend this book to anyone.

This ARC was provided by BookSirens and the publisher, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

[Katrina Freckleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always an enjoyable read following along the Detective and his secretary as they solve crimes. Set in an era of interest and intrigue, an easy read and we get to see a little bit more of them personally with each book meaning we can relate and attach a little bit more each time to the characters while we wait for another to follow.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diane Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am addicted to the Drake Marlow series, and book 5 was equally enthralling. Some of the usual characters appeared, such as Della, but we also see a young boy in the centre of 2 crimes, Marlow became almost too attached, but who could blame him?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Valinda Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this author’s book. I must say I enjoyed everything about it. I connected right away with the 2 main characters, the plot seemed simple, but it still took me by surprise! It doesn’t have to be complicating to be good. Worth reading! I received an Advance Review Copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this entire series so far and not one has moved me as much as this. It brought me to tears. The revelation towards the end was heartbreaking. The danger to young Oliver was much closer than anyone could have imagined. Keep the tissues close.