Greater Trouble in the Lesser Antilles

by: Charles Locks

Published by: Scarlatta Press

Reviewed by Debra Kiefat

The Lesser Antilles is a utopia of adventure and romance where bright blue waters, hot white sands and the vivid colors of flora and fauna, lull a vacationer into a lazy dawdle. Captain Brian Clancy, a transplant from Kansas, has made St. Judas his home for these past decades, yet the deaths of friends have made this idyllic native island less than desirable. Most notably, the mysterious murder of Lief the Thief has shaken the languid disposition of the islanders.

Reluctantly, Captain Brian partners up with Billie, a long-legged, sun-tanned blonde, whom every warm-blooded man dreams of taking in his arms. Billie, however, has her own agenda for hooking up with the captain. Together they uncover the clues that suggest there is much more to this fatality than the shady local constable and a crooked federal agent lead on. They dodge bullets as they discover that eleven duffle-sized bales of cocaine that are stuffed in an underwater cave are at the center of this mystery.

Only Charles Locks could authentically write about paradise, sailing and mystery. He has created a rich cast of characters who celebrate life and death as only the islanders can. Through his own personal experience as a restaurateur and sailboat aficionado in the Caribbean, Locks combines hilarity with romance to balance out the somberness of this well-told mystery.

I really liked this book once I got into it. The story line seemed to go slow at first as the author took his time bringing this motley crew of characters to life through his clever use of colorful words. I am looking forward to reading more novels by Charles Locks.

Armchair Interviews: A very, very satisfying read.