A1A a quirky weird mystery

Florida's weirdest PI is on the case of his life—if the gators don't get him first

When ex-corporate burnout Danny "Gumbo" Malone traded boardroom battles for a ramshackle houseboat and a PI license, he expected sunsets and relaxation. Instead, he got Florida's most bizarre case yet.

After reluctantly agreeing to help desperate reporter Eliza Mercer with what seemed like a simple stalking case, Gumbo finds himself plunged into a swirling conspiracy of environmental crimes, endangered orchids, and suspicious deaths. When Eliza's exposé on "Operation Sandcastle"—a massive scheme to develop protected coastal land—puts a target on their backs, the mismatched duo must navigate a uniquely Floridian landscape of corrupt officials, eccentric locals, and deadly wildlife.

From ransacked houseboats to clandestine meetings in abandoned mini-golf courses, Gumbo's investigation leads him through Cedar Key's strangest corners. With help from his new partner—former forensic accountant Ellie Hightower, who makes spreadsheets sexier than they have any right to be—and a cast of unforgettable characters including emotional support alligators and a legendary 12-foot gator known as Old Scarback, Gumbo must unravel the conspiracy before he becomes another Florida Man headline.

Readers who love Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, and Dave Barry will devour this wickedly funny, vividly detailed mystery that serves up Florida's special brand of sunshine-soaked absurdity with a side of danger. "Deadline in Paradise" delivers snappy dialogue, unforgettable characters, and enough plot twists to rival the Everglades' most convoluted waterways.

Perfect for fans of quirky mysteries, Florida fiction, and anyone who understands that sometimes the most dangerous predators wear designer suits, not scales.