Landini Cadence

"In Key West an unaccompanied woman will say hello to you on a quiet street at three in the morning. She might blush, she might wish you were another woman, or both. Don't come here." -from Landini Cadence Enjoy the dark side of paradise in Hal Howland's hilarious and heartwarming new novel, Landini Cadence. Cranky Key West homicide detective Rich Castillo, who takes his fabulous girlfriend and his frustrating part-time music career as seriously as he does his day job (and who first appeared in Howland's fiction debut, After Jerusalem), is handed nine consecutive murders connected by roadside sex and redneck religion. Victoria Landini's colorful family, an army of cultural spin doctors, and the world's worst Christian rock band enliven this affectionate but unflinching portrait of a desperate tourist town (with side trips to Miami, Washington, Holland, and Wales). From adultery, incest, kidnapping, prostitution, and schizophrenia to automobile collecting, gardening, great food, massage therapy, salsa dancing, and teenage romance, Landini Cadence is pure fun in the sun.