Joseph M Boylan

Christmas in July Joseph M Boylan

It's the week of Christmas in July and a third rate, South Jersey, barrier island shore resort is preparing for the festivities. A Santa Claus has been hired, celebrities have been invited to participate, a concert has been scheduled and everyone is looking forward to the Parade of Lights on the bay featuring a water skiing St. Nick. But, when a body is found dead on the beach it casts a pall on the spirit of the occasion. It's up to two veteran detectives, who have a disdain for paperwork and a knack for finding the best nightly drink specials, and a hardened journalist, fighting her own demons, to get to the bottom of what is causing tourists to wind up dead as the week progresses. Detective Michael Warden, a cheery, old soul and his partner Frank Washington, a tortured old salt with a past that is haunting him, have been given four days to solve the killings or at least sweep them under the rug by a corrupt mayor. When two enigmatic, and gorgeous, strangers appear on the island the detectives must figure out if the visitors can help solve the mysterious killings or if they are responsible for who--or what--is causing them. A comedy novel, Christmas in July is part parody, part satire and completely a valentine to the Jersey Shore--not the TV show.