Part of Doc Ford, book 10
First published 2004
Doc Ford arrives at his stilt house on Dinkin's Bay to discover an unexpected visitor from his past. His former friend and lover stands waiting with troubling news. Her real estate developer husband has vanished without explanation and been declared dead. She fears something darker lies ahead, and her instincts prove correct. Ford follows the mystery into the heart of the Everglades, where he discovers a secluded community ruled by Bhagwan Shiva, once known as Jerry Singh. Shiva operates a substantial business empire, but recent financial troubles have pushed him toward desperate measures. His new scheme promises to restore both his wealth and influence, regardless of who suffers in the process. The plan threatens innocent lives and could devastate the Everglades ecosystem itself. Shiva sees only profit potential and remains willing to accept deadly consequences. Ford must navigate this dangerous territory where corporate greed collides with environmental destruction, and where his personal history complicates every decision he faces.
Genres: adventure, mystery, contemporary, thriller, action
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, personal-history
Setting: Dinkin's Bay, Everglades
384 pages · Mass Market Paperback · G.P. Putnam's Sons
Content warnings: violence