In the Gator's Grip — Sally Ling

When Palm Beach private investigator Drake Marlow sets out on his first-ever alligator hunt, he expects some thrills. What he doesn't expect to uncover is a severed hand wearing a ring he recognizes. The unexpected find thrusts him into a dangerous murder mystery that takes him from the lush Everglades to the opulent Palm Beaches and into Tampa's historic Ybor City, where he comes face-to-face with the notorious crime lord, Charlie Walters. As Drake delves deeper into the mysterious connection between the dead man and Walters, he uncovers a trail of brutal murders that lead him straight to the powerful crime boss. Lives are at stake as Drake and his team must outsmart the ruthless Walters, who will do anything to maintain his power and continue his reign of terror. Just when Drake thinks he's bested Walters, a shocking revelation turns everything upside down. Welcome to Drake Marlow's world. Can Drake unravel this mystery before he loses everything and everyone he loves? Set against the backdrop of 1930s Florida, In the Gator's Grip is a Palm Beach noir mystery and the first in the Drake Marlow Mystery series.