Book Review: Murder and Desire in Orange Beach

Reviewed by Toni Woodruff

Murder stalks the randy residents of an idyllic beach town in this compelling  summer thriller.

The novel Murder and Desire in Orange Beach delivers exactly what it promises on the back cover: a story of lust, jealousy, murder, and greed that can only end in tears. A damn-near perfect summer beach read, Murder and Desire is fit to please, poolside or seaside.

The book opens with a mysterious killing on the Fourth of July. “It had been a clear, beautiful summer night with a Thunder moon. It was a great night for fireworks and a perfect night for murder.” The reader can’t identify the victim or see the killer. Then the story goes back in time to narrate the life journeys that brought the main characters to Orange Beach, a Gulf Coast vacation town. The reader follows them through a series of business deals, political maneuvers, and sexy interludes, all the while picking up clues as to who was murdered in the opening scene and how the killing was accomplished. 

The story is deliciously cast: a spoiled rich woman turned politician; a successful real estate developer; his very young assistant; an up-and-coming realtor; a smart, sweet cop; and a down-and-out ex-con. Most of the main characters are well-off beautiful people with a very loose grasp of ethical behavior toward others. A lot of despicables populate this book, not all of them criminals.

The first half of the Murder and Desire is devoted to the “desire” part of the story. Although the narrative describes characters making land deals and enjoying the beautiful scenery, the story is about their various flings with each other. When the narrative catches up to the “murder” part of the story, the novel becomes a police procedural.

Murder and Desire is obviously Josh Myers’ story—he is the primary investigator of the crimes as well as the only true romantic among the characters whose hook-ups comprise half the book. However, Josh doesn’t change much, usually a staple in the procedural genre. Instead, Shovelhead steals the show—an ex-con both kind and ruthless, devoted to his “brothers”  and classic motorcycles. He’s got a lot of problem-solving to do in this story and gives it a good try. “Nothing ever went right for Mike “Shovelhead” Dempsey; even when it was going right, it quickly sent him down a greased chute to the proverbial septic tank.” 

The storytelling style leans a bit more toward summary than scene setting. When scenes are included, the book makes s standout choice to write the scenes as a script, with characters relating big chunks of information through dialogue. While I longed for more interweaving of gesture, thought, and setting features with the speeches to ground me, the style comes across as a memorable and unique feature.

Looking for some serious spice to go along with your police procedurals? You’ll get a kick out of Murder and Desire in Orange Beach.  

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