Book review: Florida-set ‘Twice the Trouble’ a polished debut

‘Twice the Trouble’ by Ash Clifton. Crooked Lane, 320 pages, $29.99

Ash Clifton’s gritty, gripping debut, “Twice the Trouble,” easily proves that the private detective subgenre thrives, while also delving into an area often neglected in Florida mysteries — the Tampa-Orlando corridor.

The Gainesville-based author delivers a polished first novel with a complicated hero, snappy dialogue, non-stop action and a solid plot. That private detective Noland Twice often is more anti-hero than pristine hero only adds to the multi-layered story of “Twice the Trouble.”

Noland was a promising University of Florida football star — Go, Gators! — when he broke his leg, derailing any aspirations of going pro. He spent a few years as a deputy sheriff until he was arrested on a bogus drug charge and sentenced to Raiford prison before he was exonerated.

For several years now, Noland has scraped out a living as a private detective. He has one unusual skill: He seems to be able to find any missing person, no natter how scant the clues.

He is hired to find Arthur Valkenberg, a partner in one of Florida’s largest construction firms who may have stolen millions of dollars. Noland knows this will be a difficult case, but if he is successful, he will earn $4 million. Arthur is dangerous, leaving a trail of violence in his wake. Betrayal after betrayal impede the case as violence erupts quickly. Noland often calls on his small group of associates with their unusual skills.

Clifton imbues the briskly paced “Twice the Trouble” with unpredictable twists, shaping Noland in the tradition of Sam Spade and Spenser, whose tough personas drive their plots. Noland is used to his cases turning “dark,” taking “extraordinary — often illegal — measures” to solve a case. And he never shies away from that approach

Central Florida has long needed a new voice in mysteries, and Clifton knows the area well, from the streets of Orlando, its myriad neighborhoods and the nearby small towns such as St. Cloud. The plot of “Twice the Trouble” is far removed from any theme park.

Clifton makes a strong start with “Twice the Trouble” and should have a long series with Noland.