Matt Royal was a former trial lawyer, now retired and living on Longboat Key, Florida. He was approached by his former wife Laura, who asked him to help her find her missing stepdaughter. Eighteen-year-old Peggy was last seen around the area where Matt lived on the island as she celebrated spring break with friends. Still in love with Laura, and eager to help, he was quick to begin the search.

Matt enlisted the help of a couple of his friends including Longboat Key's chief of police, Bill Lester; Logan Hamilton, who also retired early saying that he had all the money he needed and Matt needed a playmate; and Jock Algren, a life-long friend from childhood. Unfortunately, as soon as they began their search, they found out someone wanted them stopped - permanently!

When Laura disappeared and more bodies surfaced, Matt found himself in increasing danger. He went underground as a fisherman in Key West. The deeper he got into the case, the more deadly it became as he continued to search for the missing girl. It seemed everywhere he went, someone wanted him dead. And, even the lives of his friends were in danger from someone who managed to remain hidden, but seemed to have great power and a long reach.

The hunt for the killer led Matt and his friends on a twisting trail of deception, murder, prostitution, and, eventually, to Blood Island.

Blood Island is the third Matt Royal Mystery written by H. Terrell Griffin. As a resident of Longboat Key, Griffin has first-hand knowledge of the area and uses it well. He utilizes local establishments to give the novel a laidback, home town feel.

Juxtaposed is the fast-paced action that begins with Matt finding a body in a vulture cage at a bird sanctuary; from there, the story rarely let’s up enough for readers to catch their breath. Someone suggested this novel would make a good movie, and that is true. It is an action-packed, gritty thriller that has Matt calling in the big guns to help him out when things get especially rough.

The writing throughout the book is consistent and strong, but the scenes surrounding Blood Island are especially well-written. Readers will feel the tension and atmospheric conditions much as the characters are experiencing them. The Matt Royal series just keeps getting better, and this third book will not disappoint H. Terrell Griffin fans.

A special thank you goes to Oceanview Publishing for providing a complimentary copy of Blood Island for our review. If you would like a copy of any of the novels in the Matt Royal Mystery series, they are available on Amazon.com.