Customer Reviews

Southern Fatality: A Jersey Barnes Mystery (Jersey Barnes Mysteries)

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Southern Fatality is an exciting read. It's cliché, but true; you will definitely not want to put this one down until you've finished reading it. The main character, Jersey Barnes, is sexy, intelligent and capable. The supporting cast, including father and his poker buddies, adds humor. Her interactions with her boyfriend (Bill), and her business partner (Ox), lend the romantic interest to the story. I found myself hoping that she would have more than a business partnership with Ox. The plot was interesting, and definitely not predictable. The surprise twist at the end is worth the wait. I highly recommend this one; but I warn you: you will get hooked on Jersey

First of all, I want to clear this up right now. This is not Stephanie Plum. The only similarity is the main characters are both female and they have large male friends that watch over them (Ox and Ranger). That is it. Stephanie Plum is a ditsy bailbonds person who has no criminal justice experience and doesn't even like guns. Jersey is retired military and sleeps next to a glock.

I liked this book. I thought it was funny, suspenseful and I enjoyed the characters. Jersey Barnes is asked by her boyfriend to help an old friend. The "old friend" is an ex-girlfriend of Bill's who wants Jersey to find out if her rich husband is having an affair. Jersey does Bill a favor and finds out the rich guy isn't having an affair but his co-worker has been murdered. And then his son goes missing. So the rich guy hires Jersey to help find his son. What she discovers is a tight web of extortion, fraud, murder and danger. Jersey's good friend Ox helps her try and figure out what is going on.

In the middle of this is Jersey's father, a retired cop and her roommate. He is hilarious. Trying to figure out a way to do away with his car and collect insurance because he can't get a license anymore.

This book had some bad reviews and I think it's because people were expecting it to be too much like Stephanie Plum. If you want Stephanie Plum, then read Hot Six or Seven Up. This is a series that stands on it's own.

Former military police officer Jersey Barnes became a private security investigator since leaving the marines. Now the South Carolina resident is considering retiring. However, while she muses about life after work with her boyfriend Bill, he asks her to take on a case. Bill's beautiful recently married friend Lolly wants to know if her wealthy spouse is already cheating on her.

Jersey wants to say no especially after seeing how lovely the blonde bombshell of a client is; but for Bill she takes on the case. Her first reaction is why a newlywed would cheat on such a lovely new wife. However, as she investigates whether the husband is a stud or a muffin Kersey instead uncovers diabolical plans to release a computer virus that would devastate a large bank and much more; she brings in her Carolina corps of pals to help her prevent a disaster.

Jersey and her eccentric crew turn SOUTHERN FATALITY into an amusing regional investigative thriller. Readers will enjoy the antics of Jersey's moralist Ox, former Federal IT guru Soup, undercover expert Trish, and the heroine's bluffing dad Spud and his greybeard poker pals. The fast-paced breezy story line is fun to follow as there is plenty of action, but it is because of the offbeat cast that fans will want more Jersey escapades in the Carolinas.

Harriet Klausner

SOUTHERN FATALITY is a great read with fun and interesting characters. Set in the coastal town of Wilmington, North Carolina, this novel takes you through the South on an exciting and sexy adventure. The characters are well-developed and author T. Lynn Ocean is able to make readers feel right in the middle of things with main character Jersey Barnes. This is a great piece of "Southern fiction" that everyone can enjoy. I can't wait for the next book by Ocean!

Southern Fatality is a fast paced book that will hook you from the first page. Jersey Barnes, a newly retired private security specialist, is looking forward to spending some time relaxing on her boat with her boyfriend to start her retirement off right. Things do go exactly as planned when her boyfriend "convinces" her to look into a problem for a friend of his. What should be a fairly easy favor gets Jersey caught up in the middle of a kidnapping, and some other hair raising situations. The ending really took me by surprise! You will not be disappointed with this book! I can't wait for Jersey's next adventure!

Private security investigator Jersey Barnes was retiring, at least that was her intent. She wanted to spend the nights with her boyfriend Bill, and her days lolling around the deck of her boat, The Incognito. Determined to celebrate her first official day of retirement in style, she made arrangements to meet Bill at the bar. She dressed for an evening out on the town and a night of hot, sweaty sex.

Bill was waiting for her at the bar, but unfortunately he wasn't alone. Lolly, an old college friend, had joined the party. Jersey took the intrusion in stride. Her plans for the evening were a bust, but they still had the night. When Lolly's lighthearted banter turned to sobs, Jersey pulled back. Okay, so Lolly thought her husband was cheating on her, it wasn't Jersey's business or her concern. Besides, why would any newlywed cheat on a bombshell like Lolly?

When both Bill and Lolly turn to Jersey for help, she relented. It wouldn't take more than a day or two, and as long as she didn't get paid for it, it wouldn't affect her retired status.

Instead of uncovering a secret lover, Jersey uncovered a plot to release a computer virus that would cripple a major bank, and transfer millions of dollars from the social security system into private accounts.

Jersey called up her Carolina crew and together they averted the disaster.
SOUTHERN Fatality is an entertaining regional thriller. It was fast paced and breezy, a delight to read.