In the middle of Lake Erie sits a place called Trouble Island. It has a reputation to fit its name. Mobsters used it for illicit business. One such gangster, Eddie McGee, bought it for his wife, Rosita, who had a mansion built on the property. The island serves as an isolated spot for her and for Eddie’s illegal pursuits.

By the winter of 1932, the McGees have hit a rough patch in their marriage, following the death of their son. Rosita has retreated to her third-floor suite in the mansion and given orders that she wishes to be attended to only by her servant: one-time friend and confidant Aurelia. Their history is a sad and complicated one, which involves the death of Aurelia’s husband, along with the need for her to adopt a new identity. Trouble Island suits the needs of both women at this point.

"Sharon Short’s TROUBLE ISLAND starts off with a bang and ends with one --- literally. There’s not a dull moment in between. What there is, from the first page to the last, is one twist after another."

It has been a year since Eddie has come to the island, but one morning Aurelia spies his yacht as it approaches. In a near panic, she runs to the house to raise the alarm. Everyone scurries to ready themselves for his visit. Eddie can be unpredictable except that he always brings a certain menace with him. It never pays to underestimate the man. And this time he has a surprise guest aboard: Marco, the head of a rival gang. What is Eddie up to now? Whatever it is will not be good for anyone, especially Rosita.

Tension inside the house ramps up, and the atmosphere chills substantially. Aurelia makes certain to keep a watchful eye on their newly arrived “guests” while she doubles down on providing a protective shield for Rosita. Rosita has expressed disdain for her husband and wants nothing more than to remain isolated in her bedroom suite. Eddie, though, has other ideas. A war of wills begins to simmer. As usual, when Eddie is around, things get ugly. And soon a body turns up. Then another. Worse, someone is trying to pin at least one murder on Aurelia.

While blame is being passed around, someone sabotages the heating at the mansion. It’s November, and the snow already has begun to fly. Soon it will become dangerously cold inside. They all gather in one room where a fire can be lit to warm them. Preparations to leave --- at least for Eddie and those he chooses to take with him --- are feverishly underway. Time is of the essence because the lake is fast freezing over. They must depart before the ship is iced in. But who’s the killer? Alibis seem to be weak while surprises abound. One by one, each of them finds an excuse to leave the room. Where are they going? And why don’t some of them come back?

Sharon Short’s TROUBLE ISLAND starts off with a bang and ends with one --- literally. There’s not a dull moment in between. What there is, from the first page to the last, is one twist after another. Aurelia turns out to be a better soul than she believes. Life has treated her poorly, and she deserves another chance. One would hope that living on a remote island would provide a peaceful existence. But on Trouble Island, peace is not possible. The only way to find it is to get off that rocky jut of land in the middle of the lake. How that happens --- if it can --- will involve a very stormy ride.