Palms, Paradise, Poison - (Teddy Creque Mystery) by John Keyse-Walker (Paperback)

About the Book

When a hurricane hits the Caribbean with brutal force, Constable Teddy Creque, the sole police officer on tiny, sun-soaked Anegada, is too busy saving his fellow islanders to worry about an escaped prisoner who can allegedly kill with magic. After all, Teddy doesn't believe in magic. But events soon force him to reconsider .

Book Synopsis

Sea, storm, superstition . . . Constable Teddy Creque investigates a death with seemingly supernatural causes in this witty, atmospheric mystery set on a Caribbean island paradise.

"The battle between rational, supernatural, and criminal provides a tropical treat like no other" - Kirkus Reviews Starred Review

Constable Teddy Creque, the sole police officer on the tiny, sun-soaked island of Anegada, is used to weathering storms. So when Hurricane Leatha hits the Caribbean with brutal force, his main concern is keeping the island's two hundred residents safe.

Teddy expects the power to go out. He expects the phone lines to go down. But he doesn't expect the radioed message from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force headquarters, informing him of a dangerous escaped prisoner. Queen Ya-Ya is a practitioner of ancient Afro-Cuban rites - and rumor has it she can kill with magic.

Teddy doesn't believe in magic, and when he easily recaptures the dignified, imposing Queen Ya-Ya, he doesn't believe his prisoner is dangerous either. But when she mysteriously kills a man from inside her locked cell, before vanishing once more into the night, Teddy is forced to reconsider . . .

This page-turning mystery from award-winning author John Keyse-Walker takes readers on an exciting journey from the storm-tossed British Virgin Islands to the heart of Cuba, and is a perfect pick for readers who like their mysteries international, atmospheric and adventurous.

Review Quotes

'The battle between rational, supernatural, and criminal provides a tropical treat like no other.' - Kirkus Reviews Starred Review

'Keyse-Walker smoothly integrates Caribbean lore and culture into the narrative, which is peopled with distinctive, well-wrought characters. . .Readers will look forward to Teddy's further adventures' - Publishers Weekly

'A principled hero, solid details of police work and the practices of Palo Mayombe and Sateria, and lushly described settings permeated by unease and possible supernatural phenomena combine to distinguish this ambiguous, unusual mystery' - Booklist

'Plenty of action, entertaining and appealing characters, and colorful depictions of island life ... A solid read-alike of AGATHA CHRISTIE's A Caribbean Mystery and BOB MORRIS's 'Zack Chasteen' series' - Library Journal Starred Review of Beach, Breeze, Bloodshed

About the Author

John Keyse-Walker practiced law for 30 years, representing business and individual clients, educational institutions and government entities. He is an avid salt- and freshwater angler, a tennis player, kayaker and an accomplished cook. He lives in Ohio with his wife.

Sun, Sand, Murder, the first Teddy Creque mystery, won the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award.