Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Alligator's Farewell
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Hialeah Jackson
Class/Genre: Mystery Humorous Woman Main Character
Series: Annabelle Hardy & Dave the Monkey Man # 1
Dell, Dec 1998, $5.99, 352 pp.
Annabelle Hardy-Manatos is the chief of Hardy Security and Electronics, a highly regarded private security firm located in Miami and six other cities. Her second in command is Cuban immigrant Dave "The Monekeyman" Enamorado, who is emotionally attached to his hearing impaired boss, a fact that he hides from her.
Dave goes out of his way to smooth the way for his troubled employer. This is not easy to accomplish as Annabelle rejects any protection from anyone. However, that attitude is put to the test when a scientist at the University of the Keys dies after falling into the radioactive coolant of a nuclear reactor. Law enforcement and university authorities want to close the case as a suicide, but the security experts think a homicide occurred. They risk their lives to prove their premise is correct.
Hialeah Jackson (suitable name for an author whose stories occur in Florida) has written an unusual, but intriguing and subtly humorous who-done-it that will leave a smile on the reader's face long after the adrenaline rush slows down. THE ALLIGATOR FAREWELL provides a unique look at the Everglades, an adorable antihero, and enigmatic lead protagonist who embodies modern day feminism. This may be the opening gamut of another South Florida mystery series, but this is one that will have readers winning a big payoff.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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