MRC RECOMMENDS: Treasure Coast by James Foley
“A fast-paced crime thriller that is unpredictable, with a magnetic draw that begs you to continue reading.“
– The Mystery Review Crew
Treasure Coast
By James Foley
Genre: Thriller, Police Procedural
A stunning island with turquoise waters, billowing palm trees, and nesting sea turtles is the stuff of dreams. But the dark nights on the beaches of Florida’s Treasure Coast hide dangerous secrets that can turn those dreams into nightmares.
Miami homicide detective, Lisa Owens, doesn’t trust other cops. After the murder of her fiancé was left unsolved, she vowed to make a difference by becoming one herself. Obsessed with getting killers off the streets and bringing justice to grieving families, she buries herself in her work while staying stuck in the past.
When lightning strikes twice and her lifelong friend is brutally murdered on Stypman Island, Lisa launches an investigation of her own. Out of her jurisdiction and determined to find answers, she lands in the crosshairs of the most dangerous criminal she’s ever encountered and among people who will forever change her.
*Affiliate links are used in this article. The Mystery Review Crew is an Amazon Affiliate and, as such, earns from qualifying purchases. See our privacy policy and disclosures for more information.
Find it on Goodreads, BookBub, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
Review of Treasure Coast by James Foley
Treasure Coast is a fast-paced crime thriller that is unpredictable, with a magnetic draw that begs you to continue reading. The novel’s strength lies in Foley’s descriptive writing style and his careful construction of the complex criminal enterprise that is intertwined throughout the Stypman Island community. His character development is so thorough that I found myself cringing as if for a friend in danger, yet eagerly anticipating the next plot development. His attention to detail will please even those with an insatiable appetite for details; unfortunately, this means that some readers may be overwhelmed. Several times I thought that I had gleaned the truth but then was happily surprised with the next intriguing twist.
Stypman Island is a typical small-town paradise where lives and roles often overlap. But, this idyllic remote sea turtle sanctuary is hiding an unlikely secret, and a single mistake has just set off a series of mysterious deaths among the elderly residents. Lisa Owens is a senior homicide detective with the Miami police department, and her lifelong friend and mentor is one of those who has been discovered murdered. While seeking answers, Lisa develops a strong mistrust of the Stypman Island Police Chief and befriends the younger responding officer, Kim Witherspoon. Together, the women officers quietly begin to question the deaths and realize the monstrous truth of the crimes.
Their covert investigation places both of them on a collision course with a major criminal organization that has corrupted the peaceful island retirement community, lacing its tentacles throughout Stypman’s most trusted business people. James Foley’s first novel, Treasure Coast, is a wonderful introduction to this author, and I will definitely await his next book. I look forward to meeting his next cast of characters or following these wonderful women police officers on their next adventure. “Treasure Coast” definitely delivers a special type of treasure cache: a jewel of a book and a promising new author.
About James Foley
James Foley is the author of the debut crime thriller, Treasure Coast, set for release on February 13, 2025. After leaving a successful career in business, James found inspiration for his novel while living on a barrier island, where packages of illegal narcotics washed up on a local beach. This event sparked the creation of Treasure Coast, a gripping story filled with suspense, secrets, and unexpected twists.
James currently resides in San Diego with his wife, Suzanne, and their dog, Marley. When he’s not writing, James enjoys tequila, live music, and exploring new destinations—Africa is next on his travel list. He is a member of Sisters in Crime and the San Diego chapter, Partners in Crime, and is actively involved in the local writing community.
Stay connected with James at james-foley.com.
