In Death Rides an Ill Wind, Kelly’s primary nemesis isn’t a murderer, but stage 5 hurricane Gilda.

The hurricane certainly takes center stage in this book. In fact, it isn’t until page 89 that the body of a homeless woman, referred to as “the spitter,” (for reasons exactly as you would imagine) is fished from St. Chris bay, that the mystery heats up. The authorities think she’s merely a casualty of the hurricane, but Kelly’s not so sure.

Armed with a pair of rubber gloves, Kelly rummages through the two garbage bags that held the spitter’s belongings. In the midst of the threadbare clothing, she discovers the leather-bound diary of Niels Larsen, the customs controller of St. Chris in 1867. A diary that finally solves the mystery of a Danish shipwreck and it’s priceless cargo...riches that someone is still willing to kill for. Could Kelly be the next victim?

Kelly is an outstanding heroine... independent and intelligent, yet her vulnerabilities peek through, especially in scenes featuring her ex, his wife and newborn son. Kelly’s other soft spot is for her younger boyfriend Michael, a DJ at the station. Their relationship is very much up in the air in this book and it’s a pairing that never really worked well for me. Michael seems too immature. I’d love to see Kelly in a more equitable relationship.

The strength of the Kelly Ryan mysteries is not in the whodunit aspects, but more on the island lifestyle and the interactions of Kelly’s group of friends: realtor Margo and her husband Paul, attorney Abby and Jerry, who’s the personification of laid-back. How much you like the series will depend upon how well you relate to the cast of characters. I know I’d love to pull up a chair under the faded yellow canvas umbrella at their permanently reserved table overlooking the St. Chris harbor.

As I mentioned earlier, the ominous account of the slowly approaching hurricane and its devastating aftermath are the focus here. Author Kate Grilley’s riveting descriptions of the isolation the islanders experience after the storm brought a new appreciation for those who choose what, on the surface, seems an idyllic lifestyle. It’s clear island life is not for the faint of heart.

Caribbean history is an integral component of the Kelly Ryan mysteries and that’s no exception here. I’ve enjoyed learning a bit about the history of a part of the world I know little about.

If you’re on the hunt for a mystery with its focus firmly on the whodunit, this may not be the best choice for you. But if you’re in the mood to immerse yourself in the Caribbean lifestyle, grab a pina colada and sit back with Death Rides an Ill Wind. You may never want to come home.

--Karen Lynch