Clandestine Encounters: A Drake Marlow Mystery (Book 6)

by Sally J. Ling

When a valuable pair of cufflinks disappears from a guest suite at The Breakers—the crown jewel of Palm Beach hotels, private investigator Drake Marlow is hired to recover the items and handle the matter with the utmost discretion. But what begins as a quiet inquiry quickly spirals into something far darker.

The trail leads Drake to a jewel heist dating back to 1927 and the mysterious disappearance of a woman who was allegedly involved. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a maze of clandestine encounters, some alive, some not so much.

With the help of his sharp-witted secretary Betty Lou, his fiancée Constance, the steady hand of Detective Holcomb, and a few unexpected allies, Marlow navigates a world where appearances deceive, and the truth comes with a cost.

Here's what readers
This was a first-rate historical mystery with more twists and turns than a Halloween corn maze. The author, Sally Ling, does a terrific job describing the opulent Palm Beach Breakers Hotel. I felt like I was sitting in the swanky lobby sipping an illegal Prohibition-era cocktail. The story revolves around two murders, which private investigator Drake Marlow links to a jewel heist years ago. He deals with bogus insurance investigators, a faux Scotland Yard man, and a building riddled with hidden passageways. As in previous books in this series, there’s a reliable and relatable cast of recurring characters that help Drake solve the case. Donna

I really enjoy Sally Ling's Drake Marlow series. Set in 1933, in Palm Beach, Florida, the writing is so atmospheric that I can almost imagine myself in that time. In fact, at times I can imagine the story being read like the detective mystery series on the radio in the early 50s - with a few notes of music after some scenes to elevate the excitement! This story has Drake staying at the most exclusive hotel in town, where an upper-class English gentleman claims to have had a pair of valuable cuff links stolen from a locked box in a locked room. Added to strange drafts and whispering, Drake soon discovers the cause - and a lot more besides! Intriguing and twisted, this story kept me turning the pages, and I read it in a day. What always strikes me is how, in the days before DNA and other modern techniques, detectives had a much harder job. Also, Drake and his fiancée, Constance, hark back to a much more innocent time where anything more than a kiss wasn't considered. Great historical writing. Jaqueline

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 3, 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

[Estelle Bouldin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Noir Mystery with Period Charm – 3.5 Stars

Clandestine Encounters delivers a competent 1930s Palm Beach mystery that successfully channels classic noir aesthetics while tackling an ambitious dual-timeline plot. Drake Marlow investigates stolen cufflinks at The Breakers Hotel, only to uncover a decades-old jewel heist, a skeleton in the walls, and a tangled web of British aristocrats, insurance investigators, and undercover agents.

The historical setting is well-researched and atmospheric. The mystery structure is complex, with multiple layers that keep you guessing. The connection between the 1933 thefts and the 1927 heist provides satisfying scope. The supporting characters like Betty Lou and Constance add warmth, though the romantic subplot feels underdeveloped.

However, the pacing drags considerably in the middle third. There are too many scenes of Drake interviewing staff members who provide minimal information, creating a repetitive rhythm. The story frequently tells rather than shows, particularly during action sequences that should crackle with tension but instead feel narrated at arm's length.

Drake himself lacks distinctive character traits beyond being competent and persistent. His internal voice doesn't stand out in a crowded noir detective field.

The Verdict: This is a mystery that fans of historical crime fiction will find satisfying without being memorable. It's well-constructed enough to hold your attention through its 227 pages, but it doesn't transcend its genre conventions. If you're looking for a comfortable period mystery with a Florida setting, this delivers. If you want something that reinvents the wheel, look elsewhere.

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

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion. I really enjoy Sally Ling's Drake Marlow series. Set in the early 1930's - in this case 1933, in Palm beach Florida, the writing is so atmospheric that I can almost imagine myself in that time. In fact, at times I can imagine the story being read like the detective mystery series on the radio in the early 50s - with a few notes of music after some scenes to elevate the excitement! This story has Drake staying at the most exclusive hotel in town where an upper class English gentleman claims to have had a pair of valuable cuff links stolen from a locked box in a locked room. Added to strange drafts and whispering, Drake soon discovers the cause - and a lot more besides! Intriguing and twisted, this story kept me turning the pages and I read it in a day. What always strikes me is how, in the days before DNA and other modern techniques detectives had a much harder job. Also, Drake and his fiancee, Constance hark back to a much more innocent time where any more that a kiss wasn't considered. Great historical writing.

[Donna Haas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a first rate historical mystery with more twists and turns than a Halloween corn maze. The author, Sally Ling, does a terrific job describing the opulent Palm Beach Breakers Hotel. I felt like I was sitting in the swanky lobby sipping an illegal Prohibition era cocktail. The story revolves around two murders, which private investigator, Drake Marlow, links to a jewel heist years ago. He deals with bogus insurance investigators, a faux Scotland Yard man and a building riddled with hidden passageways. As in previous books in this series, there’s a reliable and relatable cast of recurring characters that help Drake solve the case.

[Diane Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Sally Ling once again outdid herself with the next in the series of the Drake Marlowe novels. I appreciated the way she has developed the main characters, while introducing new ones. This “who done it” mystery keeps you guessing until the very end….. I can’t wait for the next one!

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

[Valinda Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this type of murder mystery, set in the 1930’s. The pace was steady and it had enough twists to keep my interest. I enjoyed the main characters and the new case as well.
This is the second one I’ve read from this series and I plan on reading all of them.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Kathryn Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the slow burn of this series.

The mysteries have enough familiarity to keep me invested in what comes next, with enough plot twists to keep turning the pages.

I enjoy the kind of "quasi-noir" approach to the novels, and the fact that they are not "cozy" but are also not extremely violent

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

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was supposed to be a simple case of finding some stolen cufflinks, but let's be honest, when has a case Drake was investigating ever been 'simple'?

Not all secrets want to remain secret, even if the reveal takes a while. Figuring out the truth behind the lies can take some mental gymnastics, something Drake is very good at. However, even he can be blindsided.