All this uncharacteristic behavior makes Alex concerned that Zack is involved in something he shouldn’t be. Before Alex has a chance to do much investigating, he is called to photograph a crime scene. When Alex arrives, he recognizes the dead man as the odd man he had just seen hanging around Sloppy Joe’s.

Because Alex is so relieved the body was not Zack’s, it doesn’t cross his mind immediately that this could be connected with Zack’s mysterious appearance and disappearance. Even when one of Alex’s friend’s houses gets trashed and the dark room containing Alex’s crime scene photos is robbed and burned down, does Alex become suspicious. It takes Abby Womack, a lover Zack had many years ago that Alex did not know about, to show up with a story about Zack’s long-time involvement in some shady business dealings and some possible drugs, to shake Alex up.

Meanwhile, a sheriff’s candidate’s daughter-in-law is murdered, and his low-life son is the prime suspect. While trying to find Zack, trace his connections to the dead man, trying to stay one step ahead of Abby, whom he does not trust completely, and help his friend who also wishes to run for sheriff, Alex also juggles a budding relationship with police liaison Teresa Barga.

Gumbo Limbo is a very aptly named mystery in that it is chock full of things that don’t necessarily look as if they go together, yet when all combined, it somehow seems to work. Sometimes, however, there are too many flavors competing and things become a little mushy. There are so many strains and complications in this book, it is sometimes hard to keep them straight, and a weary reader may just plunge on ahead, hoping that everything will make sense in the end, perhaps missing something along the way. This causes the tensions built up in the first part of the book to lag a bit through the middle.

The atmosphere of Key West is first-rate and the reader will be able to feel the oppressive heat and occasional breezy relief. The characters do perpetuate the myth that Key West natives spend most of their days drinking. Alex is an interesting character, but there is not much substance to him. His past history might hold a key to why he chose the life he has, but not much insight is given. A very dense mystery for fans who prefer their mysteries with some southeastern spice.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry