No Virgin Island

June 8, 2015
Dorsey’s fun first novel introduces Sabrina Salter, who runs Ten Villas, an upscale home rental business on St. John, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, where she has sought refuge after an unfortunate experience involving the police on Nantucket. Sabrina’s discovery of a renter lying dead in a hammock by the Villa Mascarpone’s pool, however, brings her unwelcome media attention. Since the members of the local constabulary already dislike Sabrina, she gets top billing as a murder suspect. Another possible culprit is Rory Eagan, the drunken bum husband of Sabrina’s friend Mara Bennett, a devoted stepmother to Rory’s twin teens, Kelly and Liam. Just when things couldn’t get any weirder, new renters reject a lavish upgrade and insist on staying in the Villa Mascarpone near Mara. The nonchalant treatment of Kelly’s relationship with the overage pool guy is the one negative aspect of this book, but readers will look forward to Sabrina’s future adventures. Agent: Paula Munier, Talcott Notch Literary Agency.

July 1, 2015

Sabrina Salter left her job as a meteorologist in Boston after she accidentally killed her husband. Her partner, Henry Whitman, also had to flee his job as a flight attendant. Now they run a service renting and cleaning villas on St. John, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Life in the islands is supposed to be carefree and languid, but when Sabrina finds a dead guest in Villa Mascarpone, her life is once again turned upside down. The police and the paparazzi focus on Sabrina, but Neil Perry, a retired lawyer who now runs Bar None, is convinced otherwise. VERDICT The cast of characters is appealing, with Sabrina and Henry trying to rebuild their lives and a pleasant complement of secondary folks. The plot is intricate with quite a few red herrings. A languorous debut, filled with island charm. Who wouldn't want to visit St. John?

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2015
Former Boston meteorologist Sabrina Salter and her business partner, Henry Whitman, own Ten Villas, a vacation rental company in St. John, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. When stopping by Villa Mascarpone to clean it, Sabrina discovers the body of guest Carter Johnson. Since she was recently acquitted of her adulterous husband's murder, she panics. History seems to be repeating itself, especially when the local police seem to think she is a viable suspect. She is also being harassed by investigative reporter Faith Chase, who tormented her during her trial in Massachusetts, and Sabrina and Henry both have something to hide. Complicating matters, the couple who were to rent Villa Mascarpone want to move in once the police investigation is complete, even though they were offered a more luxurious substitute. The various plot strands come together as Sabrina races to save an innocent teen. Sabrina is a complex character, damaged by her past experiences, but looking to start a new life in a richly described tropical paradise. A series to watch.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)