I am very excited about this book!  I don't like murder/crime mysteries, but this one is different.  (Disclaimer:  Tom Cavanagh is an old friend of mine, so my opinion may be a little skewed!)  When I found out that my old friend Tom is now an author, I didn't even hesitate to order this book.  How could I not read it?  I'm even going to post a link to his website:  http://www.thomasbcavanagh.com/ 

Murderland is a story of Central Florida (where I spent 20 years), Theme Parks and tourists (where I spent 3) and murder.  Kevin Lonnegan is an ex-cop turned private investigator who is asked by a old friend to investigate a pair of murders at the Empire Realm theme park.  His friend is also an ex-cop and happens to be head of security at said theme park.  Lonnegan is called in discretely because the head detective from the Orange County Sheriffs office is a former colleague of both of them whom they have little more than disdain for.  So he goes under cover picking up clues that could endanger his life and that of his new friend Sheila with whom he struggles to figure out his own feelings for in the wake of his young wife's tragic death.

Ok, I started reading this book only because Tom wrote it.  I then found it to be very amusing from an setting perspective.  Tom lives in Orlando, as did I, and it is very evident in his writing.  There are many insider references to the area, that Tom does a great job of exposing to the reader.  And it seems to me that he did an excellent job of describing the theme park that is NOT Disney World, but certainly is to me!  Suddenly, I discovered that I really cared about the characters and settled in for a very fun read.  Only took me a few days, which these days is remarkable!  Turns out, I really enjoyed the book!  I don't know if it's a great mystery novel, for I am not the one to ask about that, but I know what I like. 

I wish Tom the best, and many more novels (he already has 2 more).  It is my hope that he become bigger than some of the less deserving authors I have read...  And continue the poking at the mouse!  I LOVE it!