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L.T. Vargus
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Tim McBain
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Trouble in Paradise: A Violet Darger Novella (Violet Darger FBI Mystery Thriller) Kindle Edition

by L.T. Vargus (Author), Tim McBain (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,565 ratings
A missing girl in Caribbean paradise. And an old flame to complicate the trip.

Check out this beach-y Violet Darger short featuring Darger, Loshak, Owen, and Spinks.

When 17-year-old Micaela Tolliver goes missing during her beach vacation, FBI profiler Violet Darger heads to Curacao to investigate. The case vexes local law enforcement, with plenty of suspicious characters around and comparisons to Natalee Holloway aplenty.

Red herrings. False starts. People who will go great lengths to protect the island's long held secrets.

Further complications emerge due to someone else entangled in the case -- Darger's old friend and former lover, private investigator Owen Baxter. They're working together for the first time after a bad breakup. The tension is palpable, and Darger begins to question the knot of conflicts in her own heart.

Corruption. Death. Sand. Romance.

Once again, Violet Darger shines her light into the shadows. And what she finds there in the darkness will change her.

The Violet Darger novels can be read in any order. Here is the full list of Darger books in chronological order:

Dead End Girl (Violet Darger Book 1)
Image in a Cracked Mirror (Violet Darger Book 1.5)
Killing Season (Violet Darger Book 2)
The Last Victim (Violet Darger Book 2.5)
The Girl in the Sand (Violet Darger Book 3)
Bad Blood (Violet Darger Book 4)
Five Days Post Mortem (Violet Darger Book 5)
Into the Abyss (Violet Darger Book 5.5)
Night on Fire (Violet Darger 6)
Dark Passage (Violet Darger 7)
Trouble in Paradise (Violet Darger 7.5)
Countdown to Midnight (Violet Darger 8)
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  1. Print length
    167 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    September 17, 2021
  5. File size
    1.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09FKJP8W8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Smarmy Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 17, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 167 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 1,565 ratings

About the authors

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  1. L.T. Vargus

    L.T. Vargus

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    L.T. Vargus grew up in Hell, Michigan, which is a lot smaller, quieter, and less fiery than one might imagine. When not click-clacking away at the keyboard, she can be found sewing, fantasizing about food, and rotting her brain in front of the TV.

    L.T. Vargus now lives in New Mexico with her special man friend/writing partner, Tim McBain.

    She likes YouTube videos of cute animals, mystery novels, punk rock, and pizza.

    http://ltvargus.com

    See more on the author's page
  2. Tim McBain

    Tim McBain

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    People say your author bio should tell the world why you write. I write because life is short, and I want to make something awesome before I die.

    http://timmcbain.com

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,565 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this novella to be a great little read with lots of twists and turns, and one customer notes it's perfect for summer mystery reading. The book features well-developed characters, with one review highlighting the casual conversation between them, and customers appreciate the author's ability to keep the story flowing from beginning to end. They enjoy the humor and intelligence level of the book, with one review specifically praising the FBI agents' excellent law enforcement skills.

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37 customers mention "Readability"37 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with one mentioning it's a perfect beach day read.

"Great read, no dislikes, characters are worthy, will read more of the series. I would like it better if they were book length" Read more

"Violet and Vincent at there best. Quick read... Owen is a charmer. Love how authors roll in character. I want more." Read more

"...THIS was a VERY enjoyable read... AGAIN! KUDOS McBain and Vargus!" Read more

"Excellent 👍 whodunit! Not too long, not too short but just right. And the addition of Loshak and Sphinx just added great seasoning to the story...." Read more

14 customers mention "Story quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, finding it exciting and full of adventure, with one customer noting it's a perfect summer mystery read.

"...And the addition of Loshak and Sphinx just added great seasoning to the story. And so this book has... adventure, crime, mystery, thrills and humor...." Read more

"...Violet Darger was at her best, not missing a clue as the investigation deepened. You will finish this novella in only one sitting, guaranteed!" Read more

"Another great story in an exotic place. Lots of twists and turns, not knowing who did what. Love Spinks he always bring so fun to the story." Read more

"Good little mystery to explain what happens in the next series of novels. Glad I took the time to read it!" Read more

12 customers mention "Character development"12 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one mentioning the casual conversation between them.

"Great read, no dislikes, characters are worthy, will read more of the series. I would like it better if they were book length" Read more

"...Quick read... Owen is a charmer. Love how authors roll in character. I want more." Read more

"...of a mystery than a thriller, I really enjoyed the casual conversation between the characters. In fact, I think that is what made this book so good...." Read more

"Love the characters and loved the story !! I Can't get enough Loshak and Darger - they are the best... 😄!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Author quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authors' work, with one noting how they keep the story flowing from beginning to end, while another mentions the sharp dialogue.

"...Although it can be read as a standalone, I believe it helps to already be familiar with the characters to better appreciate their dialogue and..." Read more

"...I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author." Read more

"The authors keep the story flowing from beginning to end and leave you wanting more! Love the Carter series... Keep them coming!!" Read more

"...The dialogue is sharp and humorous. Great read!" Read more

7 customers mention "Series"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy this novella as part of the series, with one customer noting it's a great complement to the two series, while another mentions it's a nice follow-up.

"...Violet Darger and Victor Loshak books, and this was a great complement to the two series...." Read more

"...Excellent . It was a nice follow up from the craziness of the Dark Passage ." Read more

"...I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author." Read more

"This series is so great! I love the characters and interactions between them all...." Read more

7 customers mention "Twists and turns"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story's twists and turns, with several mentioning they were surprised by the ending.

"Love the characters and loved the story !! I Can't get enough Loshak and Darger - they are the best... 😄!..." Read more

"...I Enjoyed reading this book because I was surprised at the ending and surprised when the murderer was unveiled...." Read more

"Another great story in an exotic place. Lots of twists and turns, not knowing who did what. Love Spinks he always bring so fun to the story." Read more

"Fast read with a good story line. Just what you'd expect from a "novella". Looking forward to the next Darger adventure." Read more

4 customers mention "Humor"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book.

"...And so this book has... adventure, crime, mystery, thrills and humor...." Read more

"An easy read as usual with suspense, drama, and classic Darger / Loshak humor. Excellent ...." Read more

"Love being back in the Darger/Loshak crime-solving world—the humor, banter, and sharp wits...." Read more

"...The dialogue is sharp and humorous. Great read!" Read more

3 customers mention "Intelligence level"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the intelligence level of the FBI agents in the book, with one customer highlighting their excellent law enforcement skills.

"Another good read from my FBI agents. I can always depend on Loshak & Rather to keep me on the edge of my seat,...." Read more

"...She has excellent law enforcement skills but more than a few hangup that haunt her as she struggles to get job done...." Read more

"...Clever detectives. Beachy descriptions warmed me and made me nostalgic." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • lisa marie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great read, no dislikes, characters are worthy, will read more of the series. I would like it better if they were book length
    Helpful
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  • SJClark
    4.0 out of 5 stars Get story, will done.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Violet and Vincent at there best.
    Quick read... Owen is a charmer.
    Love how authors roll in character. I want more.
    Helpful
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  • SSW
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I am so pleased and actually relieved to read another great Darger and Loshak novel, novella, whatever! I had read the Violet Darger series of 4 then happened upon what I read was the first novel published by McBain and Vargus. But thank goodness it wasn't the first novel of theirs I'd ever read because even though they said they had reworked that first book, Casting Shadows Everywhere, I thought it was garbage. Sorry, just being honest. McBain said that the first publisher they'd taken it to told them it was garbage and that fella is no longer in publishing, so the joke's on him. I think that the maybe good 5 pages in that whole novel must have given their publisher a glimpse into MUCH better things to come from them as authors and they got lucky just as we did as readers! I personally can't think of anyone who gives a rats xxx about the everyday life of a 17 year old boy which is what you get for all but 5-8 pages in that book. And if that was MY first novel, I'd remove it from print so it doesn't give readers a turnoff since I know people are like me and when they find an author they like, they read everything they've written. And conversely, if I read a book by an author new to me and it sucks, I'm not wasting time reading anything else they've written! I had not written a review on Casting Shadows Everywhere, their first ever novel and just gave it a too generous 3 stars out of 5 giving them credit for having written other GREAT novels such as this one!!! THIS was a VERY enjoyable read... AGAIN! KUDOS McBain and Vargus!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • AmazonShoppingGurl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't Disappoint
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent 👍 whodunit! Not too long, not too short but just right. And the addition of Loshak and Sphinx just added great seasoning to the story. And so this book has... adventure, crime, mystery, thrills and humor. In fact, without spoiling it for others, I will say that I laughed so hard towards the ending. It was hella priceless and unexpected! 👍😂
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Aaron L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great short story.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I have read all of the Violet Darger and Victor Loshak books, and this was a great complement to the two series. Even though there was not much action, and it was more of a mystery than a thriller, I really enjoyed the casual conversation between the characters. In fact, I think that is what made this book so good. Although it can be read as a standalone, I believe it helps to already be familiar with the characters to better appreciate their dialogue and idiosyncracies. For example, knowing why Loshak always brings donuts to a police briefing or why Spinks is such a conspiracy theorist. It is also good to see that Violet has matured into a seasoned FBI agent, and she is not as flighty on the job as she was earlier on in her career. For a short story this was remarkably well done!!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Steve ward
    4.0 out of 5 stars good read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Quick story. Moves along in a good way Eads to read n one setting. You will enjoy this book. Enjoy.
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  • SusanSuspense
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book !
    Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Love the characters and loved the story !! I
    Can't get enough Loshak and Darger - they
    are the best... 😄!
    Helpful
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  • Placeholder
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Another good read from my FBI agents. I can always depend on Loshak & Rather to keep me on the edge of my seat,. I love everything about their books. As soon as they hit the shelves I purchase them. Worth the purchase worth the read.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Wheelie26
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great short outing for Darger and Loshak
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This was a much shorter story about Darger and Loshak’s adventures. As it was much shorter we got to learn a little more about FBI Agent Violet Darger which was nice and unusually for her she didn’t spend at least some of the book in impending danger for her life.
    As the title suggests they are in paradise on one of the Caribbean Islands where a young woman has gone missing. They are roped into the investigation by an old friend and joined by another as they work together to solve the mystery, not helped by the local police force or the local people.
    A great read for when you have a few hours spare, I’ve no doubt you will enjoy it and whilst this is part of a series about these investigators you can read it as a stand alone and then go back and read the previous ones as they are all great.
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  • Elle Zee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Darger always gets her man...
    Reviewed in Canada on November 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A totally enjoyable Darger/Loshak procedural, mixed with a touch of romance. Well-written and complete, despite not being a full-length novel. I really like the interaction of all 4 characters, Darger, Loshak, Spinks and Owen. Let's see more books with them all getting equal time!
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