Dreamboat — Doug J. Swanson

Fans of Dallas private eye Jack Flippo, the unlikely hero of Doug J. Swanson's acclaimed debut novel, Big Town, will happily note that Jack's risen in the world since last they've seen him. Now he's a 'recovering no-account' with an office of his own above an all-night coffee shop and an unsteady gig as investigator for Cactus Bloodworth, a flashy lawyer whose name is his least corny attribute. Cactus sends Jack east to Baggett County, Texas's smallest in size and mind, to look into the demise of Mingo Gideon, professional poker player and part owner of the Melon Patch Ranch, a seedy Dallas bar. Mingo fell out of the boat he shared with his fishing buddy and business partner, Rex Echols, whose grief at Mingo's passing is tempered by the huge insurance policy he'd taken out on him.