Local author releases latest book ‘Peril in Paradise’

After spending many years living like a vagabond, moving from place to place in her Airstream travel trailer, Mallie Monroe finally decided to settle down and set some roots. Little did she know, her world would be anything but settled when she parked her trailer on Cape Island, a small island on the west coast of Florida. The newest book by Bokeelia author, Marty Ambrose relates a murder mystery that will be sure to capture the attention of Pine Island readers. Ambrose’s character takes a job as the reporter for the “Cape Island Observer” and is quickly involved in a murder investigation in her book Peril in Paradise published by Avalon Books.
“This story is what is considered ‘cozy’ murder mystery and not a thriller. My previous books were of the romance/suspense genre and this is my first murder mystery,” said Ambrose. “Mystery writing is very different from romance and I had to spend a lot of time learning the ins and outs of police investigation and things like how long it takes a person to bleed to death. I also have made the switch to writing in the first person which also was very different for me. Another difference would be that with a murder mystery, the story starts with the event and then goes backward.”
Ambrose is a full-time English and creative writing teacher at Edison College and she and her husband, former news anchor, Jim McLaughlin are island residents.
“Mystery readers are very detail oriented and will catch even the smallest error. I am very fortunate that my husband, Jim, has been very helpful when it comes to police procedure,” said Ambrose. “I have given him something to read and he will make remarks like, you can’t just cross the yellow caution tape at a crime scene.”
Ambrose had previously had six romance/suspense novels published by Kensington Press and now three with Avalon. Among her previous works was the very well received “Heat Wave.”
Peril in Paradise is the first in a three-book series called the Mango Bay Mystery Series and will feature several recurring characters including Mallie Monroe.
“I have worked especially hard on developing secondary characters and I feel my greatest strength is in plotting a story line and dialog,” Ambrose said. “I have already completed the third book in the series and it is my plan to continue writing the same series, but because I still work full time, I just produce one book a year, but every one is different and I feel as though I am more productive by taking my time to develop each story.”
Ambrose will begin making public appearances at book signings this summer and at this time, Peril in Paradise can be found on the shelves at Books-A-Million and at Barnes and Noble. Copies also are available at the Pine Island Public Library. Book two in the Mango Bay Mystery Series will be available in the spring of 2010 and book three will debut in the spring of 2011.