This is the second novel in a series but reads well on its own. This series is a good addition to the noir mystery genre, with a hero I love to dis. Boise is just about everything I would not want in a PI. He drinks way too much and then hurls or passes out. He solves mysteries the island way, by drinking lots of beer and bumbling his way into suspenseful situations, needing to be rescued and finally finding the murderers. Yet, underneath it all, he has a certain moral character.

The strength of this series is the setting. The hap-hazard work Boise does seems to fit the island culture. There are a bunch of quirky island characters. And we get a bit of an exploration of the sugar plantations and their use of slaves years ago and the idea of reparations.

This novel is not for readers of cozy mysteries. There is just too much murder and mayhem and poor behavior. For those who a dark mystery set in a dark paradise, this is the book to read.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.2 s R.D. KardonAuthor 3 books79

Boise is back! Gene Desrochers returns his readers to the island paradise of St. Thomas. You'll feel the warm tropical breeze as Private Investigator Boise Montague must discover [what happened to] the matriarch of a wealthy island rum producer. The deeper he digs, the closer he gets to his own mortality. Wandering and sometimes stumbling through his investigation, Boise learns about family secrets--and they could kill him. Outstanding writing and the vivid setting will keep you transfixed.1 Kathleen1,411 35

In Sweet Paradise, the second book of the Boise Montague Series, author Gene Desrochers weaves an intriguing murder mystery tale that follows private investigator Boise Montague's investigation into the disappearance of Bacon sugar and rum empire matriarch, Francine Bacon.

This dark Caribbean noir mystery tale is set in the tropical island setting of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. It has been six months since Boise returned to his Caribbean childhood home from Los Angeles after the death of his wife Evelyn. He's already solved his first few cases, and has finally hung out his private investigator shingle, and is looking for new clients. Eighteen year old Herbie "Junior" Bacon hires Boise to search for his missing grandmother, Francine Bacon, matriarch of the Bacon sugar and rum empire. Boise doesn't even get a chance to begin his investigation before reporter Adirondack Kendal is murdered at Boise's office doorway. The reporter had a connection with the missing matriarch, and it is up to Boise to uncover the depth of the connection, and find the missing matriarch, before the killer strikes again on the sweet paradise island.

Author Gene Desrochers provides a multi-layered storyline that has enough mystery, suspense, drama, treachery, secrets, and intriguing twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing. The author weaves an intricate and complicated web of family dysfunction and deep secrets within the Bacon family, intertwined with the connection between Francine and Andirondack, coupled with Boise's investigation of uncovering the possible motive for Francine's disappearance and the reporter's murder, and a growing list of possible suspects who could have been involved.

Told in the first person perspective, Boise takes the reader along for the ride on his latest investigative adventure. This engaging Caribbean noir mystery story has realistic characters; witty island dialogue and humorous interactions; a rich description of the island setting of St. Thomas; and a multi-layered storyline that easily draws the reader into the interconnection between flashbacks into Boise's childhood past with the present inner demons Boise battles, and how the pieces of the Bacon empire investigation puzzle comes together and is solved.

Sweet Paradise is the kind of island murder mystery that easily keeps the reader captivated, guessing, on their toes, and wanting more!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbook.blogspo...2 s Liz (Quirky Cat)4,575 72

Gene Desrochers' Boise Montague series continues in Sweet Paradise. Don't worry; if you're me and you haven't read the first novel (Dark Paradise), you can easily jump in at this point and have no trouble following along.

Boise Montague runs a private detective agency in the Caribbean. It's a bit of a change from his old life, but he's settling in well. Well, mostly. He's still sort of lacking one important part of his business, and you can probably guess what that is.

So when the opportunity strikes for Montague to investigate a case, he doesn't hesitate. Now he's knee-deep in a murder mystery, and things are getting more complicated (and dangerous) by the minute.

I think the thing I loved the most about Sweet Paradise is that while it is absolutely a cozy mystery – it's a cozy mystery with a darker side. It added a lot of tension to the narrative, but not so much where I felt I had been thrown into the deep end of a thriller novel.

In other words, it was a nice balance that I really enjoyed. Boise Montague is an interesting character, and even without knowing all of his backstory (as mentioned above), I didn't have much trouble figuring out his motivation.

Or how much trouble he got into here, courtesy of Francine Bacon, his rich new client. Honestly, while the mystery itself was really fun (and a bit intense!), what I really fell in love with was the way Desrochers set the scene.

The way Desrochers described Montague's setting stole the show if you ask me. All of the descriptions and secondary characters brought this part of the Caribbean to life to me and made it so easy to picture all of the shenanigans that were happening.

Now I'm left hoping to find out what sort of adventure Montague will get into next because we all know he's not going to learn his lesson here.

Thanks to Acorn Publishing for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Check out more over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks2021-reads1 Ms Cat's World991 10

Sweet Paradise is the second book in the Boise Montague series that follows our private investigator as he returns to our tropical getaway island, St. Thomas, to comb through the secrets that ensnare him as he rushes to uncover what happened to the matriarch of a rum empire. Boise tends to be a bumbling investigator with tendencies towards alcoholism, however is not afraid to work through potential risks.

Characters riddled throughout give a depth to the culture of the island. The author gives a dark twist to “cozy mysteries” and paints a picturesque setting that is strikingly theatrical. Fast-paced and action-packed filled with characters that keep you interested while you delve alongside Boise through twists and turns to find the “who done it”.

While the second in the series, can easily be read as a standalone due to just the right amount of backstory and explanation during key points. Wonderfully grim (dark) read!1 FeliciaAuthor 5 books103

Boise Montague is a bona fide private investigator. He has an office with his name outside above the cantaloupe-colored door.

Now he just needs some clients.

Fortunately (or unfortunately), he’s hired when Francine Bacon, the matriarch of the island’s leading wealthy, goes missing. Boise will navigate dark family secrets, a decades-old grudge, and brushes with death before the case ends.

As if that weren’t enough, Boise will have to face the truth about himself. The peace he’s longed for since losing his wife eludes him, and numbing his inner pain with alcohol isn’t working.

It was good to spend time in Boise’s world again. He may not be Bond or Magnum, PI… or even Barnaby Jones, but he does have skills and gut instinct to see him through. Now all he needs to do is stop drinking.

The balmy climes of St. Thomas provide the perfect imagery and color for Sweet Paradise.

Enjoy!murder mystery private-investigator ...more1 Energy Rae1,587 52

I read Dark Paradise a few years back and fell in love with the noir vibes and the very flawed Boise. So I bought this so I could immerse myself once again in a fantastic read. Boise gets himself into these messes, and just when it seems all hope is lost, something good happens. Boise has gotten his life a little more together in Sweet Paradise. He has a place to stay, some friends of sorts, and even an office to practice out of. But, as is in Boise's world, cases land on his doorstep without him needing to seek them out.

I d this one a lot. The storyline was well-researched and gripping, and the characters are multi-dimensional. I how Boise seems to fumble into his role and the background knowledge he brings to the table. In addition, the island is richly descriptive. While a book 2 in series, you don't have to read book one, but I recommend it because Desrochers writes a fantastic story. 1 Margaret Yelton1,918 36

Sweet Paradise is the second book in the Boise Montague series, and this was a new author for me. I fell in love with the setting of this book, and felt many times as if I could actually hear the characters in the storyline saying the words. Having said that I truly think Boise is either a character you , or detest and he has to grow on you for me it was more the not liking stage. Other that being able to solve the murders, I do wish he had more redeeming qualities. Overall it was a good book, with a interesting storyline I just wished I had d the main character better. I would recommend this book to those that enjoy a good mystery. I received a copy of the book from the author Gene Desrochers and #partnersincrimevbt and the opinions expressed here are my own.1 Nancy246 1 follower

Boise is happy with his office until a murder happened to mess up his newly painted door.

And this is paradise? But it is good for business — only if he can figure it out while dealing with a very dysfunctional family. He also needs a crash course in archery.

One murder isn’t enough. Boise is hoping to keep that total to only two.

Can he clean up his act long enough to not only solve the murders, but to also keep himself alive?

Thank you, Mr. Desrochers, for keeping the islands alive for me. St. Thomas was one of my favorite ports.

***Book provided without charge by PICT.***1 Jane Pettitt662 41

A great page turning read, gritty fast paced mystery, wow loved the location. Enjoy. 1 Ben Cody1 review

I thoroughly enjoyed the second outing of Boise Montague. Dark Paradise, the first Boise Montague novel, presented a very lush world in St. Thomas/ Virgin Islands, but somehow, it felt more fleshed out in the followup with less description, just through the characters moving through this interesting world. The central mystery is compelling, and I am a bit of a sucker for aspects of history I am less familiar with ( the sugar trade in the Carribean.) The characters are suitably oddball without being weird for the sake of weird, at least in my opinion. I found there quirks and traits pulled me in to the story more. I highly recommend. A great follow up to Dark Paradise. Not necessary to read the first one to enjoy Sweet Paradise, but it will probably help paint an even richer picture of a unique place... one that exists behind the tourist spots and cruise ship terminals. Mindy Fox5

I couldn't put the book down. And well written, too! I highly recommend! Govno Nichevo447 3

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