Exile Trust: A Frank Cole Mystery

by: Vincent H. O'Neil

Published by: Thomas Dunne Books

Reviewed by Patricia E. Reid

Frank Cole is living a life of exile in Exile, Florida, but it is a life he is getting used to although at times he feels the need to take his life on a different route. Frank lost his business and endured a very bad bankruptcy. Mark, Frank’s friend and attorney, has advised Frank that he needs to keep a low profile until hopefully some better decisions can come down from the bankruptcy court.

In Exile Trust we find Mark Ruben visiting Frank in Florida. Mark is contemplating a move to Florida with his family, but Frank isn’t so sure this is a good idea and is not being very encouraging.

Denny Danton, Excile’s Chief of Police, approaches Frank. Denny has recommended Frank for a job that has come up at the local bank. It seems that auditors will be at the bank soon and the records on the safe deposit books are incomplete. After checking out the situation Frank asks his friend Gray Toliver to help out, and Gray is more than willing to take on the job.

One safe deposit box of most interest is owned by a Dorothea Freehofer who was just recently found dead in her home. Dorothea’s husband Preston passed away several years ago. Someone with the key to the safe deposit box shows up with Preston’s passport for identification and a bank employee gives this person access to the safe deposit box. Now that the bank knows that it could not have been Preston, all stops are pulled out to find out what really is going on.

Frank lucks onto an elderly woman in Dorothea’s neighborhood who seems to be the only friend Dorethea had. Dorothea left an envelope with the neighbor and now Frank is in possession of the contents of this envelope. Frank’s investigation will lead him into old real estate schemes and even murder.

This is a great addition to the Frank Cole series. I enjoyed Exile Trust as well as Reduced Circumstances. I haven’t read the first book in the series Murder in Exile but I do intend to that soon.

Armchair Interviews says: Nice addition to the series.

Author’s Web site: http://www.VincentHONeil.com