Sea Weeds: A Marine Biology Mystery

by Judith Winston

When marine biologist and professor Elora Murphy is invited to work on an ecological survey at the Treasure Beach Marine Laboratory, she thinks a Florida summer will be a welcome change of routine for her and her daughter, plus a great opportunity for her to continue her own studies at the site of her first marine research experience. Even after she stumbles on the body of a teen-aged girl while collecting seaweeds in the surf, Elora has no intention of playing detective, but she is drawn into investigating when it appears that her student assistant Brendan was the last person to see Kristin, an intern at the marine lab, alive. Elora enlists the help of her old friend Alan, another visting scientist, to question potential suspects. Brendan is exonerated, but a series of threats, vandalism, and escalating “accidents” target Elora, Brendan and Alan. The killer or killers want something Kristin found on a dive. The missing item has a history that links Kristin’s murder to a crime that took place back when the biggest fish on Florida shores was the square grouper or jettisoned bale of marijuana. Kristin’s killing must be connected to a group of young scientists Elora knew during her long-ago undergraduate summer at the lab. But will that knowledge that be enough to save her from her own disaster at sea?

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2020