"A bizarre investigation … Private Investigators helping a serial killer!"

By: D.P. Lyle

Genres: Mystery

Posted: May 12, 2020

Longly Investigations is called into action again in D. P. Lyle’s third installment of his Jake Longly Thriller series. This one is bizarre to say the least. A serial killer in Florida, Billy Wayne Baker, wants Longly Investigations to clear him of two murders he plead guilty to but says he did not commit. He readily admits to the other five and is doing his time for them. Billy Wayne will not tell the team which two he did not commit in order to keep his “credibility.” After reviewing the facts during their preliminary investigation, the team thinks that all three murders committed in Pine Key were not by Billy Wayne.

After Jake visits Billy Wayne in Raiford Prison, he and Nicole head to Pine Key undercover, doing a documentary on the aftermath that occurs for the families and community where these killings took place. Ray Longly, Jake’s dad and owner of Longly Investigations, and Pancake, Ray’s best friend who works for Ray, join Jake and Nicole in this quaint little town. They all spend a few days interviewing the families and the police, trying to get a feel for what might really have happened here. They come to the conclusion that two of the murders that occurred here were not by Billy Wayne, but now they must find a connection and who really did commit these two killings.

SUNSHINE STATE by D.P. Lyle is not a fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat or takes you for a wild ride. The plot is mostly conversation driven, yet it is a suspense-filled mystery that prods you along, wanting to help these four quirky investigators find the connection they need to prove a serial killer innocent of two of the murders he is doing time for. Pine Key is a charming setting for this small-town investigation, with some peculiar supporting characters to add to this enthralling story. Jake and Nicole always have some very interesting banter between them that brings a little humor into the narrative. I have been a fan of D.P. Lyle since I read his first book in this series. SUNSHINE STATE can be read as a stand-along, but why miss out on such a fun series. You will not be disappointed.

Book Summary

Jake Longly and Nicole Jamison are confronted with the most bizarre case yet. Serial killer Billy Wayne Baker now denies that two of his seven murders were actually his work. An anonymous benefactor, who believes Billy Wayne’s denials, has hired Longly Investigations to prove Billy Wayne right. Billy Wayne had confessed to all seven. Not only did the confessed serial killer have the motive, means, and opportunity for murder, but his DNA was found at each crime scene. Bizarre doesn’t quite cover it.

Jake and Nicole travel to the small Gulf Coast town of Pine Key, Florida, where three of the murders occurred. The local police, FBI, state prosecutor, and crime lab each did their jobs, uncovered overwhelming evidence of Billy Wayne’s guilt—and even extracted a full confession. Is Billy Wayne simply trying to tweak the system to garner another fifteen minutes of fame? It’s likely all a game to him, but, if he’s being truthful—someone out there is getting away with multiple murders. How? Why? And most importantly, who?

Dark clouds loom in the Sunshine State.

Sunshine State by D.P. Lyle

Sunshine State

by: D.P. Lyle

Jake Longly

Oceanview Publishing
May 1, 2020
On Sale: May 12, 2020
Featuring:
336 pages
ISBN: 1608093875
EAN: 9781608093878
Kindle: B07P9KM8VY
Trade Size / e-Book (reprint)

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