One morning in March changes all that when a rifle on the island kills a man. LeBrun insists on going to the island to conduct a thorough investigation, but meets resistance at every turn. Erastus Springer was shot to death while Morgan was big game hunting early one morning and Morgan is just as happy to write the entire incident off as an unfortunate accident, suspecting a poacher may be on the island. LeBrun disagrees and begins to question the over two hundred inhabitants of the island, including the servants the rich bring from home and the black people they hire locally. Most of the club members do not want LeBrun poking his nose into their affairs, for reasons that have nothing to do with murder.

LeBrun has a quick and capable mind (he easily remembers numerous moves in a chess game he is playing when the board is disturbed) and easily remembers details and is quick to put things together to draw logical conclusions. Tidewell, once a Philadelphia attorney is very well versed in the activities of the elite wealthy and helps LeBrun fill in the gaps to the members' personal lives that the club members are reluctant and unwilling to share. Together, the two make a formidable, yet likable duo.

The atmosphere created gives readers a good sense of southern life just before the turn of the century. Many in the South are still smarting from the War of Northern Aggression (as they refer to the Civil War) and even though the slaves have been emancipated, there is still a clear line between white and black men. Reading about the Jekyll Island Club, which did exist, and its fabulously wealthy members, is great fun for anyone interested in the great industrial era.

While J.P. Morgan appears to be a prime suspect, most will agree he is not a likely one and look elsewhere for the culprit. Careful reading may reveal the true nature of the crime a bit before LeBrun is able to put all the pieces into place, but not so far ahead as to spoil the enjoyment of the rest of the book.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry