RUM AND CHOKE

A Florida bartender’s sense of obligation and adventurous spirit lead her into danger.

Chloe Jackson, part owner of the Sea Glass Saloon in Emerald Cove, knows she’s in trouble when her partner, Vivi Slidell, and head bartender Joaquín Diaz greet her with a done deal she’s certain to dislike: They’ve signed her up to represent the Sea Glass in the Florida Panhandle Barback Games, an obstacle-course race involving drinks. It’ll be a piece of cake, they claim, even though her competition includes ringers like Olympic athlete Jean Claude LaPierre and Hollywood stuntwoman Lisa Kelley. All this information comes from Ann Williams, a friend and local fixer who’s about to get Chloe in big trouble. Ann’s right-hand man, Dex, helpfully takes Chloe on a tour of local bars to see the competition, which also includes champion surfer Enrique Laurier, a chick magnet who may have roofied Chloe’s drink while she was talking to him. Meanwhile, Ann confides in Chloe that she’s found a treasure map and needs someone to accompany her while she does some exploratory diving. Unfortunately, the only treasure Ann finds is Enrique’s dead body, making them suspects in his murder. Vivi gets Chloe a lawyer who tells her to keep quiet despite the good relationship she’s always enjoyed with the police. When Ann announces her intent to continue her treasure hunt, Chloe agrees to help despite her misgivings and the need to hide things from her boyfriend, Rip Barnett. The partnership will put them both in danger from people willing to kill to seize the treasure.

A fun read whose adventure and romance outshine the mystery.