Island of Secrets — Janni Nell

I'm a paranormal investigator without a home of my own. So when a wealthy client offers me a lucrative job on a private South Pacific island, I jump at the opportunity.

It's not all fun in the sun, though. A dead merman -- no, really -- with an arrow in his chest has washed up on shore. My investigation reveals a century-old war between the mers and a goblin tribe, who believe the mers stole their treasure. But the real thief was a pirate! He buried the treasure and died before digging it up again.

Casper, my guardian angel and sort-of-but-not-really boyfriend, usually helps me out but he's acting all weird and busy. The only person left who can help me find the treasure is the pirate's former girlfriend, who happens to be a forgetful, alcoholic ghost.

Oh, and I'm not the only one searching for this treasure. Someone else wants it badly and they're prepared to commit murder to prevent anyone else from getting it…

57,000 words