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Gold & Courage #1
The Mutiny Girl
"A taut, thrilling drama told exceptionally well." —Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author
"An engagingly written series starter with a bounty of plot twists and Miami vices." —Kirkus Reviews
Rumors of $75 million in missing cartel cash.
An iconic Florida waterfront hotel with a dangerous past.
An ex detective turned lawyer with his own playbook.
Vance Courage knows all too well the Hotel Mutiny was once the secret enclave for Miami's notorious Cocaine Cowboys. Law enforcement, drug lords, and lots of shady operatives lived it up inside the Mutiny's high security private club.
Outside the hotel, Miami was a war zone. The coroner stored murder victims in rented refrigerated trucks. Witnesses and jurors disappeared. A federal judge was gunned down outside his home.
But that was a different era. Or was it?
Courage is a lawyer now and his practice is on the skids. When a fugitive sneaks into Miami from Cuba, it unleashes demons from the past. Characters from the Cocaine Cowboy days are cropping up — including an enticing woman he meets on a dating app. With his life going nowhere fast, he wonders what they want with him. And why now?
This paradoxical tale of murder, tenderness, corruption, and family will get inside your head and won't let go until you've read the final word.
"An engagingly written series starter with a bounty of plot twists and Miami vices." —Kirkus Reviews
Rumors of $75 million in missing cartel cash.
An iconic Florida waterfront hotel with a dangerous past.
An ex detective turned lawyer with his own playbook.
Vance Courage knows all too well the Hotel Mutiny was once the secret enclave for Miami's notorious Cocaine Cowboys. Law enforcement, drug lords, and lots of shady operatives lived it up inside the Mutiny's high security private club.
Outside the hotel, Miami was a war zone. The coroner stored murder victims in rented refrigerated trucks. Witnesses and jurors disappeared. A federal judge was gunned down outside his home.
But that was a different era. Or was it?
Courage is a lawyer now and his practice is on the skids. When a fugitive sneaks into Miami from Cuba, it unleashes demons from the past. Characters from the Cocaine Cowboy days are cropping up — including an enticing woman he meets on a dating app. With his life going nowhere fast, he wonders what they want with him. And why now?
This paradoxical tale of murder, tenderness, corruption, and family will get inside your head and won't let go until you've read the final word.
351 pages, ebook
Published January 14, 2019
120 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Karen S. Gordon
11 books18 followersKaren S. Gordon was born in Burbank, California, to a psychoanalyst and runway model, the fourth of five children, and the only girl.
Her fascination with the twenty-six black and white symbols began when she embarked on her first major writing project at age three: to copy the entire Los Angeles phone directory into her older brothers' school notebooks.
She's led an eclectic life. Karen got her first job at age twelve as a groom for a top polo player in Los Angeles. She was shipped off to a private boarding school in Scottsdale, and later worked as a dough-roller at a major pizza parlor chain while attending the University of Arizona. Later she moved to Coconut Grove, Florida to be closer to her father.
That's where he helped her get a job in 1979 when she unwittingly went to work at the Hotel Mutiny. The Mutiny Girl is inspired by her experiences working inside the hotel's luxury private club while it doubled as the epicenter of Miami's multi-billion dollar cocaine trade.
Since 1982 Karen has made a living in the commercial film/video production business as an award-winning producer, writer and editor.
She is the author of an Action/Adventure/Mystery series. The first installment of the Gold & Courage Series, The Mutiny Girl, was released in January 2019. The next installment, Killer Deal, will be published in 2020.
Her fascination with the twenty-six black and white symbols began when she embarked on her first major writing project at age three: to copy the entire Los Angeles phone directory into her older brothers' school notebooks.
She's led an eclectic life. Karen got her first job at age twelve as a groom for a top polo player in Los Angeles. She was shipped off to a private boarding school in Scottsdale, and later worked as a dough-roller at a major pizza parlor chain while attending the University of Arizona. Later she moved to Coconut Grove, Florida to be closer to her father.
That's where he helped her get a job in 1979 when she unwittingly went to work at the Hotel Mutiny. The Mutiny Girl is inspired by her experiences working inside the hotel's luxury private club while it doubled as the epicenter of Miami's multi-billion dollar cocaine trade.
Since 1982 Karen has made a living in the commercial film/video production business as an award-winning producer, writer and editor.
She is the author of an Action/Adventure/Mystery series. The first installment of the Gold & Courage Series, The Mutiny Girl, was released in January 2019. The next installment, Killer Deal, will be published in 2020.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 14, 2019
The Mutiny Girl is an action-packed mystery/thriller from a Florida insider. Of course Miami Vice comes to mind in this fascinating read, yet so does Elmore Leonard for the way Gordon captures the Miami culture as Leonard did Detroit. Gordon interweaves several sub-plots--look for her expertise on the underwater video scenes--but also gets details like Brickell Island just right.
And, to add to the book's buzz, the author herself has worked as a "Mutiny Girl"--the book is based on a true story.
Lauren Gold & Vance Courage are characters about whom I look forward to reading more.
Highly recommended to anyone who's visited to Miami/Miami Beach and to mystery and thriller readers generally.
And, to add to the book's buzz, the author herself has worked as a "Mutiny Girl"--the book is based on a true story.
Lauren Gold & Vance Courage are characters about whom I look forward to reading more.
Highly recommended to anyone who's visited to Miami/Miami Beach and to mystery and thriller readers generally.
May 20, 2020
This is a really smart engaging and enjoyable book. The setting and characters are extremely well crafted. The plot has you carried along right from the beginning all the way to the end. Unless you knew, you would not think it was the authors first novel. So good I am about to start this next in the series. Highly recommended. The narration was really good.
May 31, 2020
I just finished Mutiny Girl...wow! What a wild ride! I had to go and order Killer Deal so I can find out what happens next for Vance.
September 10, 2025
DNF. Just couldn’t get into it.
January 25, 2019
I bought this book on Amazon because a friend recommended it. I wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was. It was super interesting because the author actually worked at the hotel during a really scary time. But I know it's a fictional account. It's a page turner. Something is happening all the time. I wondered if the author (because she's new) would be able to tie up all the loose ends. The characters and the book are stuck in my head. I've been reading it at night and running it back noticing how many storylines tied up so neatly.
I also really liked the female lead character. She is a really good counter balance to the main lead character, Vance. I love all sorts of books from Racing in the Rain to Beautiful Boy. This one is listed as an action adventure. If you need a healthy escape (LOL) from reality, I highly recommend this book. Like everyone else, I can't wait for the next one. This one might be hard to beat. I found the story unforgettable and the way the writer tells it, I feel like I know the characters. There are some bad ones too. I don't want to be a buzz killer so I won't give anything away, but everyone gets what's coming to them.
I also really liked the female lead character. She is a really good counter balance to the main lead character, Vance. I love all sorts of books from Racing in the Rain to Beautiful Boy. This one is listed as an action adventure. If you need a healthy escape (LOL) from reality, I highly recommend this book. Like everyone else, I can't wait for the next one. This one might be hard to beat. I found the story unforgettable and the way the writer tells it, I feel like I know the characters. There are some bad ones too. I don't want to be a buzz killer so I won't give anything away, but everyone gets what's coming to them.
January 22, 2022
Ooooh, so good! Yes, a thriller. Yes, drugs, organized crime, a guy (good-looking) duh., a deceptively shrewd girl (a blonde) again, duh., but she's funny and so transparent and honest and very very likeable and kind of my new hero(ine).
Also, Cuba is involved, or discussed at length and there are Cubans, an oldish white guy, and a younger white guy, a retired cop, and mystery and thrills. Very gritty!
I'm embarrassed to say I was more than halfway through the book (pondering the grittiness whilst assuming a male author...) when I realized the author is female... Nicely done!
I'm moving on to book two post haste!
Also, Cuba is involved, or discussed at length and there are Cubans, an oldish white guy, and a younger white guy, a retired cop, and mystery and thrills. Very gritty!
I'm embarrassed to say I was more than halfway through the book (pondering the grittiness whilst assuming a male author...) when I realized the author is female... Nicely done!
I'm moving on to book two post haste!
May 23, 2019
Wow...what a terrific read! Compelling characters, a finely crafted plot and it keeps you hooked all the way to the end. Further, it left me anxious for the next volume in the series.
I could run out of superlatives, but if you enjoy novels that present characters that have depth, and plots that keep you hooked, you’re sure to enjoy the work of Karen Gordon. I’m impressed.
I could run out of superlatives, but if you enjoy novels that present characters that have depth, and plots that keep you hooked, you’re sure to enjoy the work of Karen Gordon. I’m impressed.
January 28, 2020
The Mutiny Girl is a mesmerizing crime thriller that fans of both crime thrillers and legal thrillers will love. The centerpiece here is The Mutiny, a real-life hotel where author Karen S. Gordon worked that was a hotspot for celebs, the Cuban cartel and the feds trying to catch them (several of the fictionalized characters are based on real-life people she encountered). Highly recommended.
February 25, 2019
Definitely a new author to follow! Felt much the same as when I read the first Jack Reacher novel by Lee Child. Excellent dialogue, witty social observations, memorable characters, and intricate plotting make Mutiny Girl an outstanding debut. I hope the next in series is in progress!
March 3, 2019
Riveting page turner in her 1st novel. Karen S. Gordon delivers like a seasoned pro. The Mutiny Girl masterfully blends skillful character development, witty dialogue and wry observations amid a spellbinding story telling all within a historical fiction.
March 17, 2019
Definitely an author I will follow! Definite twists and turns in this book that keep one reading. It was hard to put this book down. Can’t wait for the second book although 2020 is a long time to wait.
February 8, 2021
The characters in this book are really fascinating. I didn't expect so many surprises, definitely keeps you guessing! The descriptions made me feel like I was there. Really look forward the the next book in the series!
June 27, 2023
I finished Karen S. Gordon's crime thriller "The Mutiny Girl," and what a fantastic book! There's plenty of action to keep the pages turning. There's also a compelling narrative to hold your attention. Thriller fans should add Ms. Gordon to their author list and seek out "The Mutiny Girl."
July 20, 2019
Great insight into the Miami drug world of the 80’s with an exciting current day thriller! Great characters and story!
April 14, 2024
Great storyline and historical events brought into the story. The last chapter just seemed rushed, though.
May 27, 2024
Potential
It had its moments. Unfortunately, the book meandered frequently and lengthily. I can’t recommend it. On the other hand, I did finish it!
It had its moments. Unfortunately, the book meandered frequently and lengthily. I can’t recommend it. On the other hand, I did finish it!
April 20, 2025
Difficult to follow, uninteresting and undeveloped characters. Skip this.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews