Hard Latitudes — Baron Birtcher

“[A] fast-paced mystery . . . Fans of the prolific Stuart Woods and Randy Wayne White will hope that Birtcher's engaging series has an equally long life.” -- Booklist
 
A Nero Award Finalist
 
After twenty years in the LAPD, Mike Travis should be enjoying his retirement in Hawaii. Instead, he's become a reluctant PI who can't manage to stay out of trouble -- much to the chagrin of his long-suffering girlfriend. 
 
This time, the problem is his brother, Valden, head of the family company of Van de Groot Capital. A mover and shaker, he's in Los Angeles for a political fundraiser at the home of a powerful pharmaceutical titan. But first, he's being blackmailed. Someone has a compromising video of him and a young woman who is definitely not his wife -- and they want three million dollars for it. That's when he calls Travis. 
 
With his longtime connections in Los Angeles -- including his former partner on the force -- Travis has everything under control, until he doesn't. Now entangled in a web of murder, finance, and politics, only Travis can unravel a conspiracy international in scope -- and unparalleled in evil . . .    
 
“Birtcher is a solid, fluent writer; the story unfolds with good-humored ease, and Travis is a personable narrator . . . All of the elements are in place for a tense thriller.” -- Kirkus Reviews
 
“Well-executed . . . Readers will hope they don't have to wait another seven years for the world-weary Travis's next adventure.” -- Publishers Weekly
 
“A thrilling page turner with a very complicated plot that all comes together in the end . . . Highly recommended.” -- Detective Mystery Stories