BOARD STIFF

Investigating the murder of a wealthy board member might be a cinch if it weren’t for the competing interests of the heroine’s college heartthrob.

Though her typical domain is planning luncheons and board meetings as the director of South Carolina’s Ballantyne Foundation, Elliott Lisbon is suddenly put in the role of private investigator when board member Leo Hirschorn is found dead in his home. Though Elli is no stranger to investigating—she’s been working on her PI license off and on for awhile now—her area is usually inquiries for upper-crust Ballantyne board members, not murder. Now Elli feels responsible for clearing the name of board chair Jane Hatting, the sort of person everyone believes could murder someone. But Elli is certain that Jane is innocent of this particular homicide. Elli thinks the investigation would be a piece of cake were it not for the meddling of her college ex, Nick Ransom. For some reason, he thinks the murder falls into his domain. Maybe it’s something about his being the new police lieutenant. As Elli and Nick conduct parallel investigations, it becomes clear that, no matter what comes to light, Sea Pine Island may not be big enough for the two of them.

Though Lynn’s debut is geared toward fans of fun, feminine heroines, Elli is a little too bland to make a splash. Would a partner in crime save the day?