Vincent H. O'Neil Murder in Exile

Murder in Exile

Vincent H. O'Neil

Frank Cole files for bankruptcy as his computer business fails, but the judge shockingly decides any income Frank makes before the liens are settled will be considered part of the bankruptcy and subject to remittance to his creditors. Seeing no reason to make any money beyond sustenance survival and heeding his lawyer's advice not to bring in a lot of cash, Frank moves to Exile, Florida working not much more than minimum wage as a background fact checker for the insurance industry.

Jogger Edward Gonzalez recently took out life insurance with Sun Provident Assurance just prior to a hit and run that left him dead. Harvey Webster of the firm hires Frank to investigate the death preferably to uncover a reason not pay Edward's beneficiary. Frank makes inquiries, but concludes that Edward was clean, but happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time; someone else was the intended victim driver of the stolen SUV that killed Edward. That someone else will murder Frank if he does not end his investigation, which the former dot.com guru is willing to do though the assailant thinks otherwise.

Frank is the reason that Vincent H. O'Neil won the 2005 Malice Domestic/St. Martin's Press best first traditional mystery contest. He is a fascinating mix as he tries to expedite himself from the murder case, but has no way of communicating his efforts to the culprit, who sees him as a threat. His investigative skills are lacking and are almost amateurish as he digs into the death of Edward. Fans will enjoy this fine whodunit starring a reluctant hero fearing another MURDER IN EXILE, his.

Dunne, Apr 2006, $22.95

ISBN 0312352077

Harriet Klausner