Bean Counter

When the head of Nick Rohmer's Miami accounting firm is found dead after a suspicious accident, Nick finds his quiet, comfortable, boring life slipping out of his control. With most of the firm's management either on vacation, sick, or dead, Nick is thrust into the unfamiliar position of actually having some responsibility. The weight does not sit easily on his shoulders.

He's relieved when the instructions from the Chicago head office are - don't do anything until we get there. This, Nick can do. He tries to stick to his 'do nothing' instructions even as Keene Construction, the firm's largest client, threatens to jump ship.

But Nick's plan of inaction is short-lived. His fianc e convinces him that this is his opportunity to get noticed - to make a name for himself and finally get ahead. Against his better judgement, he institutes a plan to meet the owner of Keene Construction and save the business.

Nick secures an invitation to dinner on the private island of the mega-wealthy Keenes, a family that has perfected the art of dysfunction. Things quickly go from bad to disastrous when another dead body shows up, and Nick finds he is the prime suspect.

As he gets sucked into the mystery, Nick's focus quickly changes from trying to save the business to trying to save his skin.

Chasing clues and millions of missing dollars across South Florida, the action moves from the elite island enclave of Boca Cheeca Key, through a seamy Key Largo bar and across the azure waters of Biscayne Bay.

The story mixes action, suspense, and humor in a unique take on the South Florida mystery thriller genre.

Mystery and suspense categories:

• Mystery humor
• Mystery thriller and suspense
• South Florida mystery
• South Florida authors