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Florida Panhandle Mysteries #1-3
The Florida Panhandle Mystery Series
WHAT HAPPENS IN FLORIDA…
…could only happen in Florida. St. Elmo, specifically. Just like in the 50s, it’s still the kind of place where a date might be a picnic of tuna sandwiches, and the sheriff the son of an old friend. In the hands of mystery author Michaela Thompson, St. Elmo comes alive with a smattering of “only in Florida” puzzlers: a bootleg war in a hurricane, sunken treasure by a trailer park, a handful of illicit love affairs fraught with seaside small town gossip. As vibrant as their Florida Panhandle backdrop, this series is made up of traditional mysteries notable for the kind of delicately-crafted writing that’ll remind you of Golden Age British yarns, now bundled in a single box set.
HURRICANE SEASON
The 1950s fairly leap off the page in this classic cozy mystery set in northern Florida in the Eisenhower era, complete with Johnny Ray on the jukebox and a Womanless Wedding—this one interrupted by an explosion at a moonshine still. Lily Trulock, owner of Trulock’s Grocery & Marine Supply, leads a pretty quiet life until a stranger comes to town. The new guy’s not what he appears, but then, some of St. Elmo’s residents aren’t either.
RIPTIDE
As intricate as a fisherman’s net, Riptide fairly writhes with sinister delights—family secrets, family feuds, lost family fortunes, betrayals, puzzles, sunken treasure… and murder, of course. With a bit of illicit romance and treachery thrown in for seasoning. This rife atmosphere swirls around New york artist Isabel Anders, who’s summoned home to tiny St. Elmo, Florida to deal with an emergency: the aunt who raised her has been brutally—and mysteriously—injured.
HEAT LIGHTNING
In all the years of their marriage, Clara Trent’s husband failed to mention his involvement in a murder—and now he’s not only dead himself, but accused of committing it. When St. Elmo sheriff’s investigator Aaron Malone re-opens the 40-year-old cold case, Ronan Trent’s named—posthumously—as the killer of his previous lover, a vivacious blonde with a jealous husband. Clara’s discovery of sensuous drawings of the woman, unlike any of her husband’s other work, reveals a carefully concealed obsession.
573 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2019
1435 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Michaela Thompson
23 books59 followersI've written seven mystery-suspense novels, set in wide-ranging locales: Hurricane Season and Riptide explore the beaches and swamps of the Florida Panhandle, where I grew up; Paper Phoenix features a romance between a disillusioned divorcee and a younger crusading journalist in 70's San Francisco; a failure analyst chases private demons to India in Fault Tree; a group of friends plays a deadly game at the Venice Carnival in Venetian Mask; and Magic Mirror and A Temporary Ghost recount the dangerous adventures of freelance journalist Georgia Lee Maxwell, who moves to France with her cat and ends up solving murders in Paris and Provence.
I've been a mystery fan my entire life. I love the form because it's endlessly flexible, yet the structure is always there.
I live in New York City, but spend time in the Florida Panhandle. My books were originally published under the name Mickey Friedman.
I've been a mystery fan my entire life. I love the form because it's endlessly flexible, yet the structure is always there.
I live in New York City, but spend time in the Florida Panhandle. My books were originally published under the name Mickey Friedman.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 15, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
Three will written Florida panhandle murder mystery family and friends relationships adventure thriller novels. I picked this series because I have vacationed in the Florida panhandle several times. I listened 🎶 to these individually each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action, misdirection, and violence leading to the unexpected individual conclusion. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of family and friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡
Three will written Florida panhandle murder mystery family and friends relationships adventure thriller novels. I picked this series because I have vacationed in the Florida panhandle several times. I listened 🎶 to these individually each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action, misdirection, and violence leading to the unexpected individual conclusion. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of family and friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡
Want to read
September 25, 2019DigitalBookSpot
October 8, 2019
Not reading profanity esp. GD
Profanity is not necessary to tell a good story and when you take the Lords name in vain it’s too far. Deleted from my kindle.
Profanity is not necessary to tell a good story and when you take the Lords name in vain it’s too far. Deleted from my kindle.
July 24, 2022
The first book in this series is named Hurricane Session, and that is what I am reviewing in this post:
Normally not my cup of tea, very slow paced book. That being said, this book was very well written, well enough to hold my interest and have me get involved.
This book takes place in the panhandle of Fla, it has Moonshiners, murder, cheating husbands, cheating wives, crooked politicians, ... it has it all. The mystery was not so difficult to figure out, but it was like watching a dram, although we can figure out how it turns out, it was a great deal of fun watching it all unfold. I recommend reading this book. Consider that I said that this sort of books is not my cup of tea, yet not only did i read all of it, but i gave it four out of five stars! That alone should tell you that it is well written and worth the read.
Normally not my cup of tea, very slow paced book. That being said, this book was very well written, well enough to hold my interest and have me get involved.
This book takes place in the panhandle of Fla, it has Moonshiners, murder, cheating husbands, cheating wives, crooked politicians, ... it has it all. The mystery was not so difficult to figure out, but it was like watching a dram, although we can figure out how it turns out, it was a great deal of fun watching it all unfold. I recommend reading this book. Consider that I said that this sort of books is not my cup of tea, yet not only did i read all of it, but i gave it four out of five stars! That alone should tell you that it is well written and worth the read.
July 19, 2020
3 I guess
The commonality in these three is the setting, but they are set in different times and without repeating characters, although the third one has a later generation of the MC in the first. But they didn't work that well for me, feeling rather slow and not well focused. The second and third add additional POVs that contribute to the distracted feeling.
The commonality in these three is the setting, but they are set in different times and without repeating characters, although the third one has a later generation of the MC in the first. But they didn't work that well for me, feeling rather slow and not well focused. The second and third add additional POVs that contribute to the distracted feeling.
March 10, 2021
Best ever
Did not expect alot from these three books. Boy was I wrong. The old Florida clanishness is so real. The descriptions of the marshes and foliage is perfect. The plot of each book is amazing. Best stories I've read in a really long time. I never give five stars but this certainly deserves every single one.
Did not expect alot from these three books. Boy was I wrong. The old Florida clanishness is so real. The descriptions of the marshes and foliage is perfect. The plot of each book is amazing. Best stories I've read in a really long time. I never give five stars but this certainly deserves every single one.
May 1, 2021
Darn it Michaela...I can't make a dollar off of you! I couldn't find a single error in this whole series.
What a pleasure! Your dialogue created each character perfectly, as if I really knew them. Your environment description was perfect...it put me right there. I LOVED reading this series and will continue to read your other series. Thank you for many hours of pleasure. J. Cantor
What a pleasure! Your dialogue created each character perfectly, as if I really knew them. Your environment description was perfect...it put me right there. I LOVED reading this series and will continue to read your other series. Thank you for many hours of pleasure. J. Cantor
December 1, 2023
Florida Panhandle Mysteries
Three stories set in the same location but at different time periods... The 1950s 80s and 2015. Lots of details and descriptions of the geographical areas and characters. The last book was a bit off IMO, when a 43 yo daughter who has had no contact with her father for 40 years trusts him and seemingly blindly does what he asks.
Three stories set in the same location but at different time periods... The 1950s 80s and 2015. Lots of details and descriptions of the geographical areas and characters. The last book was a bit off IMO, when a 43 yo daughter who has had no contact with her father for 40 years trusts him and seemingly blindly does what he asks.
July 14, 2020
I hate humidity and heat. This book will make you thirsty and sweaty
I liked the characteristics and local descriptions. I had the villain for one all wrong all along. Good twist at end
I liked the characteristics and local descriptions. I had the villain for one all wrong all along. Good twist at end
April 5, 2021
I am writing a review on the book Riptide in this series. It was a great fast paced read and would make a great vacation read. I actually started it when I was vacationing in Florida. Just the sitting and the descriptions made you want to sit by the ocean and read
March 1, 2022
The first one was good...
and they just kept getting better! I would read anything Michaela wrote. Without resorting to swearing,sex or even detailed accounts of violence she was able to make these people and places real and the suspense was tangible!
and they just kept getting better! I would read anything Michaela wrote. Without resorting to swearing,sex or even detailed accounts of violence she was able to make these people and places real and the suspense was tangible!
February 11, 2023
Michaela is My Benchmark Author!
When an author is this familiar with her subject matter and so creative and tuned in to realistic human emotions and real attitudes and reactions, her work is a high speed page turner! Simply an amazing writer!
When an author is this familiar with her subject matter and so creative and tuned in to realistic human emotions and real attitudes and reactions, her work is a high speed page turner! Simply an amazing writer!
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February 27, 2023Cool mystery stories
Loved these stories and the location they took place in. Even though the stories were different, they involved character
s from earlier episodes. Enjoyable reads.
Loved these stories and the location they took place in. Even though the stories were different, they involved character
s from earlier episodes. Enjoyable reads.
November 14, 2023
Very slow
While I'm sure the books are probably interesting in their own way, by the time I finished chapter 3 in the first book, I was so bored I just quit. This series is not for me.
While I'm sure the books are probably interesting in their own way, by the time I finished chapter 3 in the first book, I was so bored I just quit. This series is not for me.
November 17, 2023
excellent
The descriptions of places and people are so realistic that the reader can easily visualize them. I had read two of theses stories before but thoroughly enjoyed reading them again. The writer is that good.
The descriptions of places and people are so realistic that the reader can easily visualize them. I had read two of theses stories before but thoroughly enjoyed reading them again. The writer is that good.
July 22, 2019
Love the atmosphere and character depiction for this memorable part of Florida.
December 23, 2019
Enjoyed the Florida Panhandle Mystery series!
Loved the three books. Almost wore my Kindle out this weekend! Now I definitely will need to read the rest of her books.
Loved the three books. Almost wore my Kindle out this weekend! Now I definitely will need to read the rest of her books.
April 9, 2020
Great mystery
Great characters and story. Adventure until the end. Reopening cases and the way some people react can tell you a lot.
Great characters and story. Adventure until the end. Reopening cases and the way some people react can tell you a lot.
April 11, 2020
Several books, each a separate story from the one before, but taking place in Florida. Interesting stories.
April 16, 2021
Very good!
I enjoy this series and the location, atmosphere and the colorful characters described in the books. Looking forward to more!
I enjoy this series and the location, atmosphere and the colorful characters described in the books. Looking forward to more!
October 8, 2021
Nicely written
An entertaining mystery series that flows nicely, with enough detail to educate, not too much. If you enjoy a good mystery, you will find this a pleasant read
An entertaining mystery series that flows nicely, with enough detail to educate, not too much. If you enjoy a good mystery, you will find this a pleasant read
May 14, 2022
Great Books
I loved these books. They had plenty of back story and murders to solve. They started in 1950 and finished in the 90's.
I loved these books. They had plenty of back story and murders to solve. They started in 1950 and finished in the 90's.
December 2, 2023
DNF… made it to 3% and couldn’t find a reason to keep going. Did not need the detailed description of the naked female.
December 9, 2023
Living on the water is such a different way of life. I like reading books with coastal settings.
May 3, 2024
Intriguing
These books were great to read. It kept me mystified about who the murderer was with the twists and plot that it had.
These books were great to read. It kept me mystified about who the murderer was with the twists and plot that it had.
May 7, 2024
Excellent Read
Just an excellent story by an extremely talented writer! Makes me want to read more about St Elmo.
Thank you Michaela 🙂
Just an excellent story by an extremely talented writer! Makes me want to read more about St Elmo.
Thank you Michaela 🙂
June 18, 2023
great storyline and characters and a series that keeps the reader enthralled.
I am wondering, however, what the author was thinking by stating that 'Aaron's eyes pickened'
there is no such word as pickened! I would have thought that this 'madeup' word would have been picked up by any decent proof reader or editor.
Despite the lack of quality proof reading I would reccomend this 'almost' vintage series to those interested in light reading
I am wondering, however, what the author was thinking by stating that 'Aaron's eyes pickened'
there is no such word as pickened! I would have thought that this 'madeup' word would have been picked up by any decent proof reader or editor.
Despite the lack of quality proof reading I would reccomend this 'almost' vintage series to those interested in light reading
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews