A Kiss Gone Bad

I got this book when Jeff Abbott came to Rockport, TX and did a book signing. So, my book is a signed edition. This book takes place in a fictional town between Rockport and Aransas Pass, TX called Port Leo. Living in this area, myself, made the book come to life in way that was beyond other books. Jeff Abbott, who vacationed in this area while growing up knows South Texas and does justice to the region. His ability to spin the tale while providing all the background details just right had me believing that this was all happening right in my town and I was in the middle of it all.I love whodunit books and this is now one of my favorites.

Mr. Abbott gives his hero a nice twist - he's a Texas Justice of the Peace who has no formal training, who got the job through his father's influence, and formerly had a number of unskilled jobs. (My mental image was initially of Jimmy Buffett in judge's robes.) But it turns out that Whit Mosely is an honorable and compassionate man, and may just be the perfect choice for his job.He's close to the end of a reelection campaign when an old acquaintance, Pete Hubble, is found murdered. Unfortunately, it turns out that Pete is the estranged son of a Senator (who is also up for reelection) and he also just happens to be a well-known porn star (under an assumed name). To complicate matters further, Whit is the lover of Pete's ex-wife, who is in charge of the Senator's election campaign. Unbeknownst to the local law officials, they also have a serial killer in their midst. Also thrown into this mix is Claudia Salazar, a very recently divorced dectective, who is forced to work on a missing persons case with her ex-husband; a runaway barely-legal female who knows more than she's telling; Pete's porn movie producer/lover who's looking for justice; and Whit's own extended family consisting of his five brothers (the notorious Mosley boys), his alcoholic father and the father's fourth wife who is 25 years old and to whom Whit feels a distinct non-filial attraction.There's a multitude of plot twists and turns, family secrets revealed, betrayals and the like. It was a nice little rollercoaster ride, and I'm looking forward to more books in this series.

I could go on for some time about this book,so I will spare you.This is THE BEST book I have read in ages.Abbott has a way with the people he creates,he actually allows integrity to shine through,only the best of writers know how to manage this.He is a master storyteller,and deals with the story in a superb and thrilling manner.I read this book in one day,I had no choice,I could not put it down.YES- IT'S THAT GOOD!!!!!!!!!

When a death rocks the Texas coast town of Port Leon, beach-bum-turned-Judge Whit Mosley, is summoned to the yacht where he finds the supposed suicide of a Texas legislator his brains spilled all over the bunkbed of the fancy ship. Very little investigation establishes the fact that the guy was heavy into porn videos, not only making them but starring in them. Whit defies local pressure and conducts an inquest, and in the process, drug lords, con artists and power-hungry sharks turn up, all with a blood-lust. This story goes to a new level for its author, the award winning Jeff Abbott who has already established an audience with his stories about Jordan Poteet. This is sure to garner an Edgar nomination. You'll love the wry humor of this wonderfully talented author. Excellent plot, unforgettable characters that are probably still running loose on the Texas beach, and writing with a power that stirs all the basic emotions.

This is a delicious page turner that you'll finish in maximum of two sittings