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Boise Montague #1
Dark Paradise
Boise Montague’s life in Los Angeles has fallen apart. After his wife dies, he returns to the tiny island where he grew up. Unfortunately, coming home doesn’t bring him the peace he’s looking for.
Things have changed drastically since his last visit. The island has moved on and so have the people he once knew. When Boise tries to find the one friend he thinks he can count on to be there for him, he’s confronted with another death. A murder. A murder that the police did not think important enough to investigate thoroughly.
Boise wants answers. He enlists a local reporter named Dana, who has theories of her own, to help him dig deeper.
With not much left to lose, a bone to pick with the justice system, and a relentless partner, Boise sets out to do what the police would not: solve the murder of Jeffrey Black.
The island of St. Thomas is a gleaming tropical paradise. Welcome to the Caribbean, where murder is as common as sunshine.
Things have changed drastically since his last visit. The island has moved on and so have the people he once knew. When Boise tries to find the one friend he thinks he can count on to be there for him, he’s confronted with another death. A murder. A murder that the police did not think important enough to investigate thoroughly.
Boise wants answers. He enlists a local reporter named Dana, who has theories of her own, to help him dig deeper.
With not much left to lose, a bone to pick with the justice system, and a relentless partner, Boise sets out to do what the police would not: solve the murder of Jeffrey Black.
The island of St. Thomas is a gleaming tropical paradise. Welcome to the Caribbean, where murder is as common as sunshine.
335 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2018
167 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Gene Desrochers
5 books162 followersGrowing up in an 18-room guesthouse/wartime hospital in the Caribbean isn’t for everyone, but it proved just the right atmosphere for bestselling author Gene Desrochers to hone a sense of story, mystery, and scene that would prove critical in his writing career.
Born on a tiny dot called “St. Thomas” (somewhere in the Caribbean), Desrochers migrated steadily west over the years until he found a home – with a wife who loves him, kids who are young enough to still think he’s pretty cool, and a cat who tolerates him – in the continental United States. He also found the time to earn a JD and become a practicing lawyer, run a tennis club, and publish award-winning short fiction in publications across the US and beyond.
Now settled in the mysterious and exotic land known as Los Angeles, Desrochers splits his time between the loves of his life: his family, his writing, his tennis, and his ability to impress strangers with his St. Thomian accent.
Find out more about him – and the worlds he creates – at his website, GeneDesrochers.com
Born on a tiny dot called “St. Thomas” (somewhere in the Caribbean), Desrochers migrated steadily west over the years until he found a home – with a wife who loves him, kids who are young enough to still think he’s pretty cool, and a cat who tolerates him – in the continental United States. He also found the time to earn a JD and become a practicing lawyer, run a tennis club, and publish award-winning short fiction in publications across the US and beyond.
Now settled in the mysterious and exotic land known as Los Angeles, Desrochers splits his time between the loves of his life: his family, his writing, his tennis, and his ability to impress strangers with his St. Thomian accent.
Find out more about him – and the worlds he creates – at his website, GeneDesrochers.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 16, 2018
Dark Paradise by Gene Desrochers is a 2018 Acorn publication.
A fresh and compelling mystery with a cast of interesting characters-
Set against the tropical backdrop of the balmy Caribbean island of St. Thomas, this story is centered around Boise Montague, a man who recently lost his wife. Boise needs to get out of LA, regroup, touch base and reconnect with his roots. To that end, he hopes to become reacquainted with an old pal from his childhood. But, when he learns his old friend had fallen into the drug trade and was murdered, Boise feels an intense desire to figure out how his friend’s life took such a terrible turn and how he ended up dead. Thus, begins an investigation that will unearth more than one shocking crime and keep Boise in a constant state of unease and danger.
This mystery was exactly the change of pace I’ve been craving. The location is different, the characters are quite different from any I’ve encountered in recent memory. The plot is also extraordinary. The story has the feel of a crime drama, while the atmosphere captures the tropics and the underbelly of Caribbean paradise.
Boise is so real and also very sympathetic. He’s got a few extra pounds, some health issues, and a thing for Guinness beer. He’s lost, showing definitive symptoms of depression, but perhaps he’s found a way to begin putting his demons behind him. The secondary characters are very well written and add a tremendous amount of depth and authenticity to the story, especially Dana. I found the mystery to be very absorbing and challenging to me since it was not written in a dull, formulaic format.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not an ‘outside the box’ type of story, it’s just got a different sort of vibe that is like a breath of fresh air. I could grow to like Boise and can see where his character and this series could really develop. This debut novel lays a solid foundation for any subsequent installments, which I do hope will be forthcoming.
Boise proves it is hard to come home again, that time doesn't stand still, but maybe it could be that the island needs Boise, just as much as he needed it.
4 stars
A fresh and compelling mystery with a cast of interesting characters-
Set against the tropical backdrop of the balmy Caribbean island of St. Thomas, this story is centered around Boise Montague, a man who recently lost his wife. Boise needs to get out of LA, regroup, touch base and reconnect with his roots. To that end, he hopes to become reacquainted with an old pal from his childhood. But, when he learns his old friend had fallen into the drug trade and was murdered, Boise feels an intense desire to figure out how his friend’s life took such a terrible turn and how he ended up dead. Thus, begins an investigation that will unearth more than one shocking crime and keep Boise in a constant state of unease and danger.
This mystery was exactly the change of pace I’ve been craving. The location is different, the characters are quite different from any I’ve encountered in recent memory. The plot is also extraordinary. The story has the feel of a crime drama, while the atmosphere captures the tropics and the underbelly of Caribbean paradise.
Boise is so real and also very sympathetic. He’s got a few extra pounds, some health issues, and a thing for Guinness beer. He’s lost, showing definitive symptoms of depression, but perhaps he’s found a way to begin putting his demons behind him. The secondary characters are very well written and add a tremendous amount of depth and authenticity to the story, especially Dana. I found the mystery to be very absorbing and challenging to me since it was not written in a dull, formulaic format.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not an ‘outside the box’ type of story, it’s just got a different sort of vibe that is like a breath of fresh air. I could grow to like Boise and can see where his character and this series could really develop. This debut novel lays a solid foundation for any subsequent installments, which I do hope will be forthcoming.
Boise proves it is hard to come home again, that time doesn't stand still, but maybe it could be that the island needs Boise, just as much as he needed it.
4 stars
May 6, 2018
Dark Paradise pulls you into the dark side of sunny island life on St. Thomas. Amid the tropical paradise, the tourists, and cruise ships lurk shadier characters. When Boise arrives on the island, he is dropped in the midst of it all, charged with shining a light on the darkness and unearthing the secrets that lie there. This book has much more than murder. I loved the different characters, their unique personalities, and the snappy dialogue perfuse with island lingo. I can’t wait to see what mystery Boise pursues next.
September 15, 2018
The setting of Dark Paradise is very realistic. I love the rich descriptions of St. Thomas. I really felt like I was there. To top it off, the local dialect used made this even more compelling because you really get the sense of the people living there.
I love the mystery. Time doesn't just stand still, and sometimes paradise isn't always bright. Dark Paradise hooked me from the beginning, and it was a sort of slow burn that kept me reading all the way through.
I am a big fan of our main character, Boise. He is absolutely far from perfect, with some health issues and his love of beer. He's sympathetic and very relatable. Gene Desrochers created an extraordinary cast of characters.
I highly recommend checking out Dark Paradise! It's a gripping, mystery with a very relatable main character. I'm looking forward to reading more from Gene Desrochers.
*I received this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
I love the mystery. Time doesn't just stand still, and sometimes paradise isn't always bright. Dark Paradise hooked me from the beginning, and it was a sort of slow burn that kept me reading all the way through.
I am a big fan of our main character, Boise. He is absolutely far from perfect, with some health issues and his love of beer. He's sympathetic and very relatable. Gene Desrochers created an extraordinary cast of characters.
I highly recommend checking out Dark Paradise! It's a gripping, mystery with a very relatable main character. I'm looking forward to reading more from Gene Desrochers.
*I received this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*
May 20, 2019
I really enjoyed Dark Paradise. I thought the book well written and the multiple mysteries kept me engaged throughout. Author Gene Desrochers’ detective, Boise Montague, is no Sherlock Holmes, but rather more like a determined, loyal, likable bloodhound who gets his answers more through dogged determination than anything else. He enjoys his Guinness (maybe to excess) and seems somewhat less than fastidious, and this makes him all the more believable and endearing.
I’d say both the story and the writing are on the lighter side of noir, but he offers a gritty description of the Caribbean island’s darker side behind the tourist beaches and luxury hotels and there is enough murder, kidnapping, and assorted mayhem to keep you involved.
Overall, a fast, fun and thoroughly enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.
I’d say both the story and the writing are on the lighter side of noir, but he offers a gritty description of the Caribbean island’s darker side behind the tourist beaches and luxury hotels and there is enough murder, kidnapping, and assorted mayhem to keep you involved.
Overall, a fast, fun and thoroughly enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.
September 13, 2018
The personal experience of St. Thomas, the surroundings and the people is what gives this story the extra spice and flair. It’s quirky and funny, despite the seriousness of the situations. Boise Montague is larger than life and the kind of character you don’t forget.
Boise returns home looking for some peace after a personal tragedy. His wife died in a tragic accident, but he is convinced it was murder. The police get fed up of his conspiracy theories and he decides to feed his frustrations elsewhere. He does what many of us do when we are lost or are coming to the end of our lives, he goes looking for connections from the past. The house he used to live in, the streets he played in and the friends he grew up with.
Of course he finds, as many of us do, that life continues to move on even if we aren’t there to watch it do so. Boise is surprised to find his childhood friend dead, a drug dealer killed in the middle of a business exchange. I think his fragile state of mind is what sets him on the path of detective come saviour. He can’t prove his wife was killed, so he decides to find the person who killed his friend instead.
Boise is like an ill advised hound dog, who has found a scent and jut can’t get it out of his nose. He has this deep need to do what he feel is right and to instil a sense of justice on the world. The trouble is that everyone else has no interest in his quest, and he ends up stirring up a few hornet nests.
Thus starts a series of connections with colourful and hilariously eccentric characters, who aid and push him towards a tragic and violent solution. A combination of characters I hope to see again, because Boise Montague has made his mark on the genre of Caribbean noir, as has the author of course.
I do think the end was a bit like coming out of the eye of a hurricane and straight into a short, turbulent and destructive storm. Then again the whole story was a whirlwind from the start. I would like to see his sidekicks developed more, and of course will he ever find out what happened to his wife?
It has the exotic nuances of a Caribbean story mixed with a noirish feel, and yet it is also full of snark and the laid back feel of a humid, sun-stroked island. It is definitely worth a read.
*I received a copy courtesy of the author*
Boise returns home looking for some peace after a personal tragedy. His wife died in a tragic accident, but he is convinced it was murder. The police get fed up of his conspiracy theories and he decides to feed his frustrations elsewhere. He does what many of us do when we are lost or are coming to the end of our lives, he goes looking for connections from the past. The house he used to live in, the streets he played in and the friends he grew up with.
Of course he finds, as many of us do, that life continues to move on even if we aren’t there to watch it do so. Boise is surprised to find his childhood friend dead, a drug dealer killed in the middle of a business exchange. I think his fragile state of mind is what sets him on the path of detective come saviour. He can’t prove his wife was killed, so he decides to find the person who killed his friend instead.
Boise is like an ill advised hound dog, who has found a scent and jut can’t get it out of his nose. He has this deep need to do what he feel is right and to instil a sense of justice on the world. The trouble is that everyone else has no interest in his quest, and he ends up stirring up a few hornet nests.
Thus starts a series of connections with colourful and hilariously eccentric characters, who aid and push him towards a tragic and violent solution. A combination of characters I hope to see again, because Boise Montague has made his mark on the genre of Caribbean noir, as has the author of course.
I do think the end was a bit like coming out of the eye of a hurricane and straight into a short, turbulent and destructive storm. Then again the whole story was a whirlwind from the start. I would like to see his sidekicks developed more, and of course will he ever find out what happened to his wife?
It has the exotic nuances of a Caribbean story mixed with a noirish feel, and yet it is also full of snark and the laid back feel of a humid, sun-stroked island. It is definitely worth a read.
*I received a copy courtesy of the author*
September 14, 2018
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I really enjoyed this story, it is well written and kept me engaged throughout.
It has some well developed characters that work well within the plot. I do enjoy a good murder mystery and this one was well crafted and very enjoyable.
It has a great pace and I really enjoyed where the author takes us with the story. The writing style is very good and I enjoyed the flow of the story.
As the first book in a new series this is a great way for it to have started – I am certainly looking forward to reading more in this series!
Four stars from me for this one – highly recommended!!
I really enjoyed this story, it is well written and kept me engaged throughout.
It has some well developed characters that work well within the plot. I do enjoy a good murder mystery and this one was well crafted and very enjoyable.
It has a great pace and I really enjoyed where the author takes us with the story. The writing style is very good and I enjoyed the flow of the story.
As the first book in a new series this is a great way for it to have started – I am certainly looking forward to reading more in this series!
Four stars from me for this one – highly recommended!!
July 31, 2018
Life hasn't been easy since losing his wife so Boise has decided to head back to St. Thomas where he grew up. Once there, he grows nostalgic for his childhood friend Roger, but Roger is dead, murdered presumably because he was a drug dealer. But Boise thinks there's more to it than that and he wants to get to the bottom of it.
A first novel, Dark Paradise is a good mystery, where Boise is not your typical detective. He makes for a fun character. In his quest to figure out who killed Roger, he meets a reporter Dana who is willing to help Boise if he helps her. That made for an interesting story, the two work very well together.
Desrochers does a great job at portraying what life is like in St. Thomas, with rich descriptions and local dialect. This was well-written and intriguing and a lot of fun to read.
A first novel, Dark Paradise is a good mystery, where Boise is not your typical detective. He makes for a fun character. In his quest to figure out who killed Roger, he meets a reporter Dana who is willing to help Boise if he helps her. That made for an interesting story, the two work very well together.
Desrochers does a great job at portraying what life is like in St. Thomas, with rich descriptions and local dialect. This was well-written and intriguing and a lot of fun to read.
March 26, 2018
This book is an exciting mystery and a real page turner. I couldn't put it down. Not only is it an intriguing story, but the characters are great. I can really imagine Boise, the main character, running around the Caribbean island getting himself into all kinds of trouble with his side kick Dana, a tough journalist who is always on Boise's case. These two are hilarious as they put their lives on the line running down leads and searching for clues. I can't wait for the next book!!!
June 27, 2018
There were several aspects of this book that I really enjoyed. The setting was very well written and made me feel like I was right there in the story. I also found the characters, particularly Boise, to be well drawn and relatable. The story was good, but it dragged just a bit in places. Overall it was an enjoyable read.
January 12, 2018
This book took me beyond the tourist traps and deep into the dark heart of the Caribbean. The ending shocked me.I loved everything about this thriller noir and highly recommend it to my friends.
January 25, 2019
In Dark Paradise, the debut novel and first book of the Boise Montague Series, author Gene Desrochers weaves an intriguing murder mystery tale that follows private investigator Boise Montague's investigation into the murder of his childhood friend Roger Black.
This dark Caribbean noir mystery tale is set in the tropical island setting of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Boise returns to his Caribbean childhood home from Los Angeles after the death of his wife Evelyn. The police thought that Evelyn's death was an accident, but Boise thought it was murder but he couldn't prove it, and the police had threatened to arrest him for interference in the investigation. Heartbroken and defeated, Boise hoped that by coming home to St. Thomas, he would be able to pick up the pieces of his life, but the island isn't the same as when he grew up there, and he finds out that his childhood best friend Roger Black had turned into a drug dealer and died two years ago on Christmas Eve. Boise decides to look into Roger's death, thinking he was murdered, and solicits the help of Dana Goode, a local reporter for The Daily News. While investigating Roger's death, Boise and Dana find themselves unexpectedly getting involved in a kidnapping investigation of a sixteen year old local girl that entangles them in more danger than they bargained for all in the name of getting justice.
Author Gene Desrochers provides a multi-layered storyline that has enough mystery, suspense, drama, treachery, secrets, and intriguing twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing, while weaving an intricate and complicated web of what the motive of Roger's murder and the local girl's kidnapping could have been, and the spectrum of possible participants who could have been involved in committing them.
Told in the first person perspective, Boise takes the reader along for the ride on his stealthy investigative adventures. This engaging Caribbean noir mystery story has realistic characters; witty island dialogue and humorous interactions; a rich description of the island setting of St. Thomas; and a multi-layered storyline that easily draws the reader into the interconnection between Boise's childhood past and the present, and how the pieces of the murder and kidnapping investigations puzzles comes together and are solved.
Dark Paradise is the kind of island murder mystery that easily keeps the reader captivated, guessing, on their toes, and wanting more!
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
This dark Caribbean noir mystery tale is set in the tropical island setting of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Boise returns to his Caribbean childhood home from Los Angeles after the death of his wife Evelyn. The police thought that Evelyn's death was an accident, but Boise thought it was murder but he couldn't prove it, and the police had threatened to arrest him for interference in the investigation. Heartbroken and defeated, Boise hoped that by coming home to St. Thomas, he would be able to pick up the pieces of his life, but the island isn't the same as when he grew up there, and he finds out that his childhood best friend Roger Black had turned into a drug dealer and died two years ago on Christmas Eve. Boise decides to look into Roger's death, thinking he was murdered, and solicits the help of Dana Goode, a local reporter for The Daily News. While investigating Roger's death, Boise and Dana find themselves unexpectedly getting involved in a kidnapping investigation of a sixteen year old local girl that entangles them in more danger than they bargained for all in the name of getting justice.
Author Gene Desrochers provides a multi-layered storyline that has enough mystery, suspense, drama, treachery, secrets, and intriguing twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing, while weaving an intricate and complicated web of what the motive of Roger's murder and the local girl's kidnapping could have been, and the spectrum of possible participants who could have been involved in committing them.
Told in the first person perspective, Boise takes the reader along for the ride on his stealthy investigative adventures. This engaging Caribbean noir mystery story has realistic characters; witty island dialogue and humorous interactions; a rich description of the island setting of St. Thomas; and a multi-layered storyline that easily draws the reader into the interconnection between Boise's childhood past and the present, and how the pieces of the murder and kidnapping investigations puzzles comes together and are solved.
Dark Paradise is the kind of island murder mystery that easily keeps the reader captivated, guessing, on their toes, and wanting more!
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
January 24, 2019
Boise Montague is an every-man. He’s carrying a few too many pounds, drinking too much, and is convinced Colitis is of the devil’s own making.
Losing his environmental attorney wife in a freak hit-and-run accident has caused him to flounder and descend into a downward spiral.
The police say it was an accident. He knows it was murder.
A private investigator for a law firm, Boise does his own digging, but the only thing he gets close to is being arrested for interfering in a police investigation.
To keep his sanity and his freedom, Boise does what we all do when trying to make sense of it all… he goes home, to the place of his birth.
But the U.S. Virgin Islands have changed, and St. Thomas is nothing like the place Boise left as a twelve-year-old.
Instead of finding peace, he finds more confusion and heartbreak when he learns his best friend, Roger Black, died because of the life of crime he led.
Things make little sense for Boise. Finding out the investigation into Roger’s death was lackluster, and plagued by guilt for not keeping in touch with Roger, he begins asking questions.
This leads Boise to encounter some colorful characters, get kidnapped, get shot, and almost blown up by a grenade—and get into a parallel case where murder isn’t a big deal.
Boise partners with a reporter who has sources… and attitude.
Dana is a gutsy little thing not afraid to go where the story leads—but she also annoyed me… because she’s not afraid to go where the story leads. Reckless isn’t a good look. However, Dana is disgusted with the island’s social status quo and knows there’s more going on… and covered up below the surface. She’s determined to open a few cans of worms and skeleton-filled closets.
Her sources and moxey are good and serve her well, but Boise’s gut instincts win the day in this read.
Dark Paradise is an engaging story I highly recommend. The island flavor enhances the story and its dark, gritty tone brings to life the community behind destination vacations tourists never see. It also shows one need not look any further than the ugliness of human flaws and frailties to find motive.
The ending is solid… and open for another visit from Boise. Sooner than later, I hope.
Enjoy!
Losing his environmental attorney wife in a freak hit-and-run accident has caused him to flounder and descend into a downward spiral.
The police say it was an accident. He knows it was murder.
A private investigator for a law firm, Boise does his own digging, but the only thing he gets close to is being arrested for interfering in a police investigation.
To keep his sanity and his freedom, Boise does what we all do when trying to make sense of it all… he goes home, to the place of his birth.
But the U.S. Virgin Islands have changed, and St. Thomas is nothing like the place Boise left as a twelve-year-old.
Instead of finding peace, he finds more confusion and heartbreak when he learns his best friend, Roger Black, died because of the life of crime he led.
Things make little sense for Boise. Finding out the investigation into Roger’s death was lackluster, and plagued by guilt for not keeping in touch with Roger, he begins asking questions.
This leads Boise to encounter some colorful characters, get kidnapped, get shot, and almost blown up by a grenade—and get into a parallel case where murder isn’t a big deal.
Boise partners with a reporter who has sources… and attitude.
Dana is a gutsy little thing not afraid to go where the story leads—but she also annoyed me… because she’s not afraid to go where the story leads. Reckless isn’t a good look. However, Dana is disgusted with the island’s social status quo and knows there’s more going on… and covered up below the surface. She’s determined to open a few cans of worms and skeleton-filled closets.
Her sources and moxey are good and serve her well, but Boise’s gut instincts win the day in this read.
Dark Paradise is an engaging story I highly recommend. The island flavor enhances the story and its dark, gritty tone brings to life the community behind destination vacations tourists never see. It also shows one need not look any further than the ugliness of human flaws and frailties to find motive.
The ending is solid… and open for another visit from Boise. Sooner than later, I hope.
Enjoy!
June 6, 2020
Loving the noir vibes
Book one of the Boise Montague series, "Dark Paradise", is a great first book. What I loved most were the characters. The book is a mostly dialogue based noir murder mystery, but the scenery that Gene Desrochers paints for the reader about the Caribbean islands cannot be dismissed. It's a fast-paced read, and the author manages so much character development that I was really able to picture everyone and hear what their voices might sound like in my head. I love books that give me a movie clear picture and this book definitely did that. I will admit that there was a lot of setting up for future books in this one so the main storyline tended to be drowned out, but the conclusion was very satisfying and I'd definitely read more about Boise Montague and his crime solving adventures, even if he often finds himself in predicaments that can be better classified as misadventures. Witty humor, plenty of action, fun characters, and awesome writing. Four stars!
Book one of the Boise Montague series, "Dark Paradise", is a great first book. What I loved most were the characters. The book is a mostly dialogue based noir murder mystery, but the scenery that Gene Desrochers paints for the reader about the Caribbean islands cannot be dismissed. It's a fast-paced read, and the author manages so much character development that I was really able to picture everyone and hear what their voices might sound like in my head. I love books that give me a movie clear picture and this book definitely did that. I will admit that there was a lot of setting up for future books in this one so the main storyline tended to be drowned out, but the conclusion was very satisfying and I'd definitely read more about Boise Montague and his crime solving adventures, even if he often finds himself in predicaments that can be better classified as misadventures. Witty humor, plenty of action, fun characters, and awesome writing. Four stars!
January 28, 2020
A crime thriller and mystery-this was a debut novel by the author. The plot takes place on the island of St. Thomas. As the title implies, there can be a dark side of island life that many tourists think of as paradise. The main character, Boise Montague, returns to St. Thomas after a 20 year absence. A lot has changed while he was gone and his childhood friend, who he had hoped to see upon his return is dead. Montague then begins to investigate his friend's death and that leads to all sorts of encounters with shady characters and close calls. He nearly got killed himself. I got a chance to learn a bit more about the culture and people of St. Thomas. I wanted to find out how all the characters were connected and most of it was explained by the end. But because it is apparently going to be a series, not all was revealed.
August 25, 2019
I received a free copy of this book via. Voracious Readers Only. I enjoyed the book, the first by this author. I liked the characters but felt that it ran out of steam a bit towards the end. Having said that, it wouldn’t put me off reading another book in the series, or an unrelated one by this author.
March 15, 2025
Didn't finish this..just couldn't get into this book. So many good books to read so giving up and moving on..
April 28, 2023
An interesting well written murder mystery with some nice characters and occasional action. Overall readable but nothing special. Being the authors first book I’m guessing the follow up “Sweet Paradise” is better.
January 18, 2018
Not only clever with unexpected twists but also well written. Fun, real, unexpected plot that walks you through a two-faced reality where the contrasting beauty of the Clichéd Island living crashed with the complicated reality of human relations. I love the characters. Even the characters that I wasn’t supposed to like have a certain personality element that drove them very close to me, it was like having met them before, or being able to meet them for lunch, I could feel their pain, their conflicts, and their love. I almost didn’t want to finish reading the novel. I really enjoy reading it, and I can’t wait for a second part.
September 14, 2018
3.5 stars
Mention Caribbean islands and most people will immediately think of long white sand beaches lapped by the turquoise sea - an idyllic paradise. Gene Desrochers' first novel is a long way from the glossy brochures and focuses on the areas of the island of St. Thomas that the tourists don't get to see.
It's immediately obvious that Boise Montague isn't a man who gives up easily and has incurred the wrath of the LA Police after refusing to back down on his belief that his wife, Evelyn was murdered. Forced to make an hasty exit or risk incarceration, he decides to return to the island where he grew up, hoping that seeing old friends will comfort him as he tries to recover from loss of his wife. It's not always a good idea to go back however, and Boise finds his old home has changed. His carefree childhood memories become sullied when he learns that his best friend, Roger became a drug dealer and was violently murdered. Feeling guilty about not having kept in touch with his friend, he decides to honour his death by looking into the events leading up to it. He joins forces with a local reporter, Dana and before long they are both in terrible danger. Boise may share a surname with Romeo but it soon becomes clear that St Thomas is more like another of Shakespeare's plays and there's something rotten in this former colony of Denmark.
Boise and Dana end up investigating two cases - he wants to discover more about Roger's death while she is determined to uncover the truth about the more contemporary investigation - and so they end up striking a deal to help each other out. I liked Boise, he's a mess and risks destroying himself with guilt but he's a determined and perceptive man. I don't yet feel I know Dana properly, she is only really seen through Boise's eyes so while it's obvious that she's an ambitious, dogmatic reporter, I would like to know more about what drives her. The setting of Dark Paradise is what really made the book for me. This is an honest, gritty portrayal of an island inhabited by different cultures and as with anywhere, racial tensions are never far away. This is an island where behind the tourist traps, drug dealers ply their trade, the police bribed by weed and the authorities prepared to turn a blind eye to crimes lest it affects their visitor numbers. The inclusion of Patois and Iyaric gives the book a real sense of its Caribbean identity; it may not be a novel which shows St Thomas in its best light but it does feel honest and I appreciated it more for that. Though the action picks up quite quickly, I felt the plot meandered a little with a lot of characters introduced only briefly. However, it becomes genuinely tense towards the end and the conclusion is really quite touching. I enjoyed Dark Paradise, it's an engaging and assured introduction to Boise Montague and I look forward to his next investigation.
Mention Caribbean islands and most people will immediately think of long white sand beaches lapped by the turquoise sea - an idyllic paradise. Gene Desrochers' first novel is a long way from the glossy brochures and focuses on the areas of the island of St. Thomas that the tourists don't get to see.
It's immediately obvious that Boise Montague isn't a man who gives up easily and has incurred the wrath of the LA Police after refusing to back down on his belief that his wife, Evelyn was murdered. Forced to make an hasty exit or risk incarceration, he decides to return to the island where he grew up, hoping that seeing old friends will comfort him as he tries to recover from loss of his wife. It's not always a good idea to go back however, and Boise finds his old home has changed. His carefree childhood memories become sullied when he learns that his best friend, Roger became a drug dealer and was violently murdered. Feeling guilty about not having kept in touch with his friend, he decides to honour his death by looking into the events leading up to it. He joins forces with a local reporter, Dana and before long they are both in terrible danger. Boise may share a surname with Romeo but it soon becomes clear that St Thomas is more like another of Shakespeare's plays and there's something rotten in this former colony of Denmark.
Boise and Dana end up investigating two cases - he wants to discover more about Roger's death while she is determined to uncover the truth about the more contemporary investigation - and so they end up striking a deal to help each other out. I liked Boise, he's a mess and risks destroying himself with guilt but he's a determined and perceptive man. I don't yet feel I know Dana properly, she is only really seen through Boise's eyes so while it's obvious that she's an ambitious, dogmatic reporter, I would like to know more about what drives her. The setting of Dark Paradise is what really made the book for me. This is an honest, gritty portrayal of an island inhabited by different cultures and as with anywhere, racial tensions are never far away. This is an island where behind the tourist traps, drug dealers ply their trade, the police bribed by weed and the authorities prepared to turn a blind eye to crimes lest it affects their visitor numbers. The inclusion of Patois and Iyaric gives the book a real sense of its Caribbean identity; it may not be a novel which shows St Thomas in its best light but it does feel honest and I appreciated it more for that. Though the action picks up quite quickly, I felt the plot meandered a little with a lot of characters introduced only briefly. However, it becomes genuinely tense towards the end and the conclusion is really quite touching. I enjoyed Dark Paradise, it's an engaging and assured introduction to Boise Montague and I look forward to his next investigation.
September 9, 2018
After reading this book, I found myself thinking about the mystery/crime genre. I find it inspiring that so many awesome authors are writing amazing books in their own unique way, and that's very exciting for me because I love that genre. Gene Desrochers just joined my list of brilliant authors in this genre, and he too had the kind of book I would love to see as a TV series.
Set in the paradise and cultural wonder mix also know as the Caribbean, in this case the Island of St. Thomas, this story is rich in cultural aspect as well as some lovely descriptions that take us on this journey through the beauty of Caribbean nature. But of course this isn't a happy, free of drama book, this is a mystery book, and as we get to experience the wonders of the Island, we get to do it with Boise Montague.
Boise is a man who recently lost his wife and he's a mess, so he decided to reconnect with his roots and take in the fresh air. As we follow his life and learn more and more about his past, we also follow him in drama and mystery that he found out about when he got to the island.
So, of course it was a rollercoaster, specially when he join forces with Dana, a reporter trying to find out the truth about the missing girl. Their lives get in danger a lot, kidnapped, shot at, beaten and it was an adventure in a way, because I could almost feel like I was part of the journey and was there trying to figure things out too.
That's really unique about this book isn't the plot, that was an exciting storyline, no... the exciting thing is that the story happens in a different location than usual and the characters have strong personalities and made the story much more exciting. Let's take Boise for example, he was different from other characters because of how his past changed him, plus is physical aspect wasn't that typical from some books or TV series and movies we read and see.
The flow of this book were a great beginning of a series, it set the tone and capture a vibe of the Caribbean paradise atmosphere and culture. It had a fast pace that left me at the edge of my seat and made me want to jump in and help out the characters.
I definitely recommend this book. I never been to the Caribbean, but reading about it in this book, even though it was a mystery/crime novel, made me want to visit and learn about all the cultural aspects that makes the spirit of the magical and human Caribbean paradise.
Set in the paradise and cultural wonder mix also know as the Caribbean, in this case the Island of St. Thomas, this story is rich in cultural aspect as well as some lovely descriptions that take us on this journey through the beauty of Caribbean nature. But of course this isn't a happy, free of drama book, this is a mystery book, and as we get to experience the wonders of the Island, we get to do it with Boise Montague.
Boise is a man who recently lost his wife and he's a mess, so he decided to reconnect with his roots and take in the fresh air. As we follow his life and learn more and more about his past, we also follow him in drama and mystery that he found out about when he got to the island.
So, of course it was a rollercoaster, specially when he join forces with Dana, a reporter trying to find out the truth about the missing girl. Their lives get in danger a lot, kidnapped, shot at, beaten and it was an adventure in a way, because I could almost feel like I was part of the journey and was there trying to figure things out too.
That's really unique about this book isn't the plot, that was an exciting storyline, no... the exciting thing is that the story happens in a different location than usual and the characters have strong personalities and made the story much more exciting. Let's take Boise for example, he was different from other characters because of how his past changed him, plus is physical aspect wasn't that typical from some books or TV series and movies we read and see.
The flow of this book were a great beginning of a series, it set the tone and capture a vibe of the Caribbean paradise atmosphere and culture. It had a fast pace that left me at the edge of my seat and made me want to jump in and help out the characters.
I definitely recommend this book. I never been to the Caribbean, but reading about it in this book, even though it was a mystery/crime novel, made me want to visit and learn about all the cultural aspects that makes the spirit of the magical and human Caribbean paradise.
August 16, 2018
If Sherlock Holmes is known for his brilliant eccentricity, Miss Marple for her unassuming acuity, and Precious Ramotswe for her warm curiosity, Boise Montague is likely to become endeared for his blumbering loyalty. He’s the detective version of a cuddly alcoholic Winnie the Pooh. The private investigator and narrator of Gene Desrocher’s Dark Paradise, Montague flees the consequences of one investigation, only to seek out another in his home country of St. Thomas. A delightful and politically relevant crime novel, Dark Paradise transports the reader to the intricacies of island culture as the caring, but floundering protagonist digs into the past.
Montague comes home to the Caribbean island of his youth, hoping to reconnect with his old pals, only to discover they weren’t really who he’d thought they’d become. Following a hunch that all is not as it appears, Montague gets recruited by an eager journalist, the spunky Dana Goode, into yet another investigation. The bouncy Tigger to Montague’s Pooh, Goode is energetically determined to dig deeper and deeper into her stories and insists on pulling Montague along. Both of them have a penchant for stakeouts, but rarely a well-drafted plan, which often puts them in the dangerous positions that keep the reader riveted.
This detective novel’s greatest achievement is in the way it poignantly addresses the relationships between the diverse people who call the island home. Desrochers develops the complexity of the Caribbean setting through a myriad of colorful characters including the local Lebanese shop owners, drug-dealing Rastafarians, God-praising neighbors, and white supremacist thugs. The author’s use of island dialect and the main character’s sentimental attachment to neighborhood establishments take the reader on a tour of St. Thomas from the perspective of a local.
A bit clunky at first, as the author tries to tie in the protagonist’s background with the forthcoming plot, the introduction of Montague’s partner in crime-investigating quickens the pace and excitement. The highlights of the novel are the human connections the hero forms with the locals and the author’s development of these supporting characters, who prove complicated and endearing. A few loose threads in the plot (like when the author gets a call from his mother he never returns) and grammatical errors in the text notwithstanding, the book is a pleasant read and leaves the reader with a sense of the value of human connection and community, and the repercussions of intolerance.
Montague comes home to the Caribbean island of his youth, hoping to reconnect with his old pals, only to discover they weren’t really who he’d thought they’d become. Following a hunch that all is not as it appears, Montague gets recruited by an eager journalist, the spunky Dana Goode, into yet another investigation. The bouncy Tigger to Montague’s Pooh, Goode is energetically determined to dig deeper and deeper into her stories and insists on pulling Montague along. Both of them have a penchant for stakeouts, but rarely a well-drafted plan, which often puts them in the dangerous positions that keep the reader riveted.
This detective novel’s greatest achievement is in the way it poignantly addresses the relationships between the diverse people who call the island home. Desrochers develops the complexity of the Caribbean setting through a myriad of colorful characters including the local Lebanese shop owners, drug-dealing Rastafarians, God-praising neighbors, and white supremacist thugs. The author’s use of island dialect and the main character’s sentimental attachment to neighborhood establishments take the reader on a tour of St. Thomas from the perspective of a local.
A bit clunky at first, as the author tries to tie in the protagonist’s background with the forthcoming plot, the introduction of Montague’s partner in crime-investigating quickens the pace and excitement. The highlights of the novel are the human connections the hero forms with the locals and the author’s development of these supporting characters, who prove complicated and endearing. A few loose threads in the plot (like when the author gets a call from his mother he never returns) and grammatical errors in the text notwithstanding, the book is a pleasant read and leaves the reader with a sense of the value of human connection and community, and the repercussions of intolerance.
August 30, 2018
Why do I decide to read a book? I often decide to read a book because it is a recommendation- this time It was the earnestness of the author. This book is the author’s debut, and while it’s not perfect- I was totally engrossed. The novel moved at a good pace, the mysteries were interesting, and characters were fresh. I’d like to see Boise’s sidekick fleshed out more, but I think the author plans to develop all the characters in later books. It is a perfect book for a summer beach read, or during a visit to the Caribbean. The history of the islands sprinkled through the story adds to its appeal. I recommend the book, and would read the next one.
February 27, 2019
Coming home doesn't always work the way we think it will. That's what Boise Montague finds out when he returns to St. Thomas after the death of his wife. But the mysteries waiting there pull him down into the dark underworld of the island, revealing layers of crime and corruption he never expected in paradise. But as he solves each one, he finds a forgotten piece of himself along the way. You'll want to read this one!
July 10, 2019
Dark Paradise provided a delicious escape for this reader. I got into the story from the beginning, pulled in by the main character’s need to better understand his past while fighting the urge to unhook from life. The depiction of the subtle despair got to me. Desrochers also provides, through great and punchy dialogue, a vivid portrait of St-Thomas’ people, culture and history. Loved it.
I hadn’t read a crime novel in many years. Desrochers’ story was a good reintroduction to the genre.
I hadn’t read a crime novel in many years. Desrochers’ story was a good reintroduction to the genre.
August 10, 2018
What a great story! I felt like I knew the characters and was actually on the island with them!
February 19, 2019
Really well written.
The first novel kept my attention riveted. The author has created real characters who struggle with contemporary issues. Thank you!
The first novel kept my attention riveted. The author has created real characters who struggle with contemporary issues. Thank you!
October 30, 2018
I was approached by the author and given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
After the unexplained death of his wife in Los Angeles, Boise Montague decides to go back to his native Carribean island of St Thomas for a change of scenery and with hope of rekindling some old friendships. Once there, he discovers that his oldest school friend, Roger Black, became a drug dealer and got killed in what the police assumed to be a settling of scores between drug lords. Unconvinced by the police’s explanation, Boise, with the help of reporter Dana Goode, sets off to unravel what really happened to Roger.
To be completely honest with you guys, I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. I liked that it’s set in a struggling Caribbean island so the setting differs to most murder mystery novels, and it does transport you there. The fact that the author used the local dialect also enhances this feeling of authenticity and exoticism. The author very successfully describes an island where poverty has struck and the only sources of income come from tourists and the odd politicians visiting; and even the police system is somewhat corrupt.
Now the part that I struggled with is the believable-ness of the story. Boise has literally just landed on the island, and within a couple of days, manages to convince a complete stranger to take on an investigation with him, even though none of them are qualified for the task. In particular, the part with the pizza shop owners baffled me. Boise and Dana manage to break into a crime scene and all they find is a pizza box, so they decide to go and talk to the pizza shop owners and within an hour or so of talking to them, they convince them to come along and help them rescue a kidnapped victim. This just doesn’t seem realistic to me. There’s also a lot of running around and interviewing random people, most of which are too briefly mentioned to really make a mark on the story. I know this is supposed to be a fast-paced action story, but it felt excessive and unnecessary. None of the characters, apart from Boise, are given enough back story for the reader to relate to them. There is just too much going on at any one time, and it overshadowed the characters development.
Now, when it comes to Boise himself, he is somewhat of a lovable character. Devastated by the death of his wife and prone to chronic health problems, he has become dependent on pain killers and beer. I believe that he set himself the mission of discovering what happened to his old friend as a way to regain some sense of purpose in life and possibly righting some wrongs (since the death of his wife remains a mystery). However, I found his way of going about it problematic. For example, he goes to someone’s house to ask them some questions. When the lady won’t tell him all that she knows because she needs to leave for work, he follows her to her place of work and basically stalks her all day until she finishes her shift and drives home, where he follows her again and as she says she’s leaving for the airport, he books himself tickets on the very same plane and follows her back to St Thomas. Now, this is not diligent detective work, it’s just downright stalkerish and creepy. I don’t know about you, but if a random guy was following me around all day, I would call the police within the hour and get him arrested.
Finally, I wasn’t particularly surprised by the resolution of the crimes and therefore not very impressed. Overall, I liked the exoticity and unusual setting of the book but the plot itself fell a bit short.
After the unexplained death of his wife in Los Angeles, Boise Montague decides to go back to his native Carribean island of St Thomas for a change of scenery and with hope of rekindling some old friendships. Once there, he discovers that his oldest school friend, Roger Black, became a drug dealer and got killed in what the police assumed to be a settling of scores between drug lords. Unconvinced by the police’s explanation, Boise, with the help of reporter Dana Goode, sets off to unravel what really happened to Roger.
To be completely honest with you guys, I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. I liked that it’s set in a struggling Caribbean island so the setting differs to most murder mystery novels, and it does transport you there. The fact that the author used the local dialect also enhances this feeling of authenticity and exoticism. The author very successfully describes an island where poverty has struck and the only sources of income come from tourists and the odd politicians visiting; and even the police system is somewhat corrupt.
Now the part that I struggled with is the believable-ness of the story. Boise has literally just landed on the island, and within a couple of days, manages to convince a complete stranger to take on an investigation with him, even though none of them are qualified for the task. In particular, the part with the pizza shop owners baffled me. Boise and Dana manage to break into a crime scene and all they find is a pizza box, so they decide to go and talk to the pizza shop owners and within an hour or so of talking to them, they convince them to come along and help them rescue a kidnapped victim. This just doesn’t seem realistic to me. There’s also a lot of running around and interviewing random people, most of which are too briefly mentioned to really make a mark on the story. I know this is supposed to be a fast-paced action story, but it felt excessive and unnecessary. None of the characters, apart from Boise, are given enough back story for the reader to relate to them. There is just too much going on at any one time, and it overshadowed the characters development.
Now, when it comes to Boise himself, he is somewhat of a lovable character. Devastated by the death of his wife and prone to chronic health problems, he has become dependent on pain killers and beer. I believe that he set himself the mission of discovering what happened to his old friend as a way to regain some sense of purpose in life and possibly righting some wrongs (since the death of his wife remains a mystery). However, I found his way of going about it problematic. For example, he goes to someone’s house to ask them some questions. When the lady won’t tell him all that she knows because she needs to leave for work, he follows her to her place of work and basically stalks her all day until she finishes her shift and drives home, where he follows her again and as she says she’s leaving for the airport, he books himself tickets on the very same plane and follows her back to St Thomas. Now, this is not diligent detective work, it’s just downright stalkerish and creepy. I don’t know about you, but if a random guy was following me around all day, I would call the police within the hour and get him arrested.
Finally, I wasn’t particularly surprised by the resolution of the crimes and therefore not very impressed. Overall, I liked the exoticity and unusual setting of the book but the plot itself fell a bit short.
August 29, 2019
Gene Desrochers’ novel is aptly subtitled, “A Caribbean Noir Murder Mystery.” Like that other great writer of noir murder fiction, Raymond Chandler, Desrochers’ work is steeped in disappointment in the human condition, the corruption that money brings, and the effect of corruption on innocent people.
As the story opens, private investigator Boise Montague has fled Los Angeles where his wife had been murdered under suspicious circumstances. He makes a beeline for his birthplace, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There, he hopes to find peace and a new purpose. But there is something deeper. He really seeks his childhood friend, Roger Black, who, Boise believes, can help assuage his sorrows. Instead, Boise discovers more death as well as the decay of important island landmarks from his past.
Tourists flock to St. Thomas from their cruise ships almost daily, never glimpsing the chronically dark underbelly of paradise that engulfs Boise. Teaming up with Dana Goode, a crack reporter for the island’s newspaper, he soon finds himself in not one but two criminal investigations, the other being the kidnapping of Celia Jarl, a rich islander’s teenage daughter. And who is Elias, an elusive boy who nevertheless shows up in strange places and Boise’s escapades?
Readers, especially noir aficionados, will enjoy Desrochers’ skillful inclusion of famous Chandler literary elements, such as colorful similes: “At the Greenhouse, the food went down like sandpaper”; succinct prose: “I leaned against the wall formulating a plan. This wasn’t the right time. I needed to find some other way”; and, a cast of shady characters with catchy names: Tommy Scarpetti, Little Nicky, Frankie—“the Dalai Lama of crime”--, Earl DeVere, MD, Mr. Hariri, a Dutchman, and a couple of attorneys.
Adventure spins to deadly danger as Boise and Dana track down leads to solve their cases. Injuries, car chases, drugs, rum, smokes, bad girls, and bad language abound—just what you would expect and want in a thrilling noir murder mystery.
And what’s not to like when Boise Montague splashes on some Dior Sauvage cologne? He complains that he isn’t James Bond, but at least he can smell like Johnny Depp.
As the story opens, private investigator Boise Montague has fled Los Angeles where his wife had been murdered under suspicious circumstances. He makes a beeline for his birthplace, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There, he hopes to find peace and a new purpose. But there is something deeper. He really seeks his childhood friend, Roger Black, who, Boise believes, can help assuage his sorrows. Instead, Boise discovers more death as well as the decay of important island landmarks from his past.
Tourists flock to St. Thomas from their cruise ships almost daily, never glimpsing the chronically dark underbelly of paradise that engulfs Boise. Teaming up with Dana Goode, a crack reporter for the island’s newspaper, he soon finds himself in not one but two criminal investigations, the other being the kidnapping of Celia Jarl, a rich islander’s teenage daughter. And who is Elias, an elusive boy who nevertheless shows up in strange places and Boise’s escapades?
Readers, especially noir aficionados, will enjoy Desrochers’ skillful inclusion of famous Chandler literary elements, such as colorful similes: “At the Greenhouse, the food went down like sandpaper”; succinct prose: “I leaned against the wall formulating a plan. This wasn’t the right time. I needed to find some other way”; and, a cast of shady characters with catchy names: Tommy Scarpetti, Little Nicky, Frankie—“the Dalai Lama of crime”--, Earl DeVere, MD, Mr. Hariri, a Dutchman, and a couple of attorneys.
Adventure spins to deadly danger as Boise and Dana track down leads to solve their cases. Injuries, car chases, drugs, rum, smokes, bad girls, and bad language abound—just what you would expect and want in a thrilling noir murder mystery.
And what’s not to like when Boise Montague splashes on some Dior Sauvage cologne? He complains that he isn’t James Bond, but at least he can smell like Johnny Depp.
June 1, 2020
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (Caribbean). Virgin Islands Historical Society. Boise Montague (JD; Nova Law School) was looking for Lucas Beauregard.
Iris informed Boise Lucas’ apartment is by Fortuna & he works nights at Island Rentals rent-a-car.
9155 Estate Thomas, Government Hill, Backstreet. Dana Goode (The Daily News reporter, Carnegie Mellon U) informed Boise about the article she had written about his former friend Roger Black (Boise’s BMF, drug dealer, 1/26/1983-12/24/2011).
Next stop for Boise, Miguela Salas (Roger’s, J.D., Attorney at Law).
While out investigating a West Indian man knocked Boise unconscious & severely injured Dana.
ER. Dr. Earl DeVere (West Indian) stitched her leg up & examined Boise.
Cinderblock Motel. Patrick Roberts (Attorney) stopped by to see Boise.
Will Dana & Boise solve the murder mystery of Roger?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written cozy Murder Mystery book. It was extremely easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great Murder Mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It wasn’t as exciting as I hoped so I will only rate it at 3/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Acorn Publishing; PDF book.
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Iris informed Boise Lucas’ apartment is by Fortuna & he works nights at Island Rentals rent-a-car.
9155 Estate Thomas, Government Hill, Backstreet. Dana Goode (The Daily News reporter, Carnegie Mellon U) informed Boise about the article she had written about his former friend Roger Black (Boise’s BMF, drug dealer, 1/26/1983-12/24/2011).
Next stop for Boise, Miguela Salas (Roger’s, J.D., Attorney at Law).
While out investigating a West Indian man knocked Boise unconscious & severely injured Dana.
ER. Dr. Earl DeVere (West Indian) stitched her leg up & examined Boise.
Cinderblock Motel. Patrick Roberts (Attorney) stopped by to see Boise.
Will Dana & Boise solve the murder mystery of Roger?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written cozy Murder Mystery book. It was extremely easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great Murder Mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It wasn’t as exciting as I hoped so I will only rate it at 3/5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Acorn Publishing; PDF book.
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
January 22, 2019
Well I just loved this book! This was exciting, different, fun, kinda quirky and with great characters! You definitely can't go wrong with this one!
I fell in love with Boise (and Dana) but especially the two of them together. I loved Boise's island laid back but git-er-done personality. I loved that the author didn't make him out to be some kind of superhero. He was a real person that had real crap happen to him. Dana had a much stronger outspoken personality so the two of them, I thought made a great team.
This was a little difficult and slow reading at times because of the authentic Caribbean, which I loved and wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It just made you have to concentrate harder.
There were two mysteries going on at the same time, so no drag in the story-line. Loved the ending. And loved that this was the first in, what I hope to be, a whole string of Boise books! Gimme more please!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!!
I fell in love with Boise (and Dana) but especially the two of them together. I loved Boise's island laid back but git-er-done personality. I loved that the author didn't make him out to be some kind of superhero. He was a real person that had real crap happen to him. Dana had a much stronger outspoken personality so the two of them, I thought made a great team.
This was a little difficult and slow reading at times because of the authentic Caribbean, which I loved and wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It just made you have to concentrate harder.
There were two mysteries going on at the same time, so no drag in the story-line. Loved the ending. And loved that this was the first in, what I hope to be, a whole string of Boise books! Gimme more please!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!!
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