The Blind Key
A Hugo Sandoval Eco-Mystery
by Jann Eyrich
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Sep 09 2025 | Archive Date Dec 20 2023
Talking about this book? Use #TheBlindKey #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
When rising seas threaten to submerge an endangered barrier island off Florida’s Gulf Coast, Hugo is plunged into his next case 2,300 miles from home.
The Blind Key is the second adventure in the Hugo Sandoval Eco-Mystery Series and takes the building inspector to Southwest Florida where he uncovers another collision of our ravenous culture with the environment.
Lured to the tiny barrier island of Blind Key off Florida’s Gulf Coast under the ruse of a fishing trip, Hugo leaves his beloved San Francisco waterfront to join his best friend Harrison on a chase to unravel the dreams of an exotic artist, the fate of a legendary fish shack, and the destiny of three Cuban refugees, all while consuming, at least for Hugo, an inordinate amount of Gulf shrimp and rum.
Reeling from yet another controversy at the Department of Building Inspections and the sudden unearthing of his father’s cold case file, San Francisco’s preeminent building inspector soon encounters in Florida the same problems he left back home—insatiable development, climate change, and betrayal.
With his wife Carmen, his assistant, the splendid Sara of Otis Street, and the indominable Harrison behind him, Hugo dares to find the link between Blind Key’s archeological past and its fragile ecosystem before high tech pirates and his personal Moriarty in disguise as sea level rise catch up.
Advance Praise
Praise for The Rotting Whale
"In The Rotting Whale, Jann Eyrich artfully merges the realms of mystery and environmentalism to create an enthralling new genre: the eco-mystery. Eyrich’s prose is rich, painting vivid images of both the natural and urban landscapes that serve as the backdrop for Hugo Sandoval’s adventure. Readers will find themselves captivated by the offbeat hero as he ventures from the familiar streets of San Francisco to the rugged Mendocino Coast to unravel the enigma of a stranded blue whale.
The Rotting Whale is also a tale of personal growth; Eyrich delves into the complexities of Hugo’s relationships with his daughter, ex-wife, and a motley crew of secondary characters. These vibrant personalities, each with their own quirks, lend depth to the story, complementing the central mystery and providing support to Hugo as he navigates the mystery.
The Rotting Whale seamlessly blends the intrigue of a classic mystery with a thought-provoking environmental theme. Jann Eyrich’s eloquent writing style draws readers into the heart of San Francisco and the noir ambiance of a city on the brink of change. Readers of Dashiell Hammett’s Thin Man Series and Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Gamache Series should head to their favorite bookstore immediately." —D.D. Black, author of The Shadow of Pike Place, A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller
"Jann Eyrich’s characters are so compelling, I would follow inspector Hugo Sandoval and his friends through any amount of coastal fog and North Coast shenanigans! I really enjoyed the mystery but found that even more than the story, I fell for the characters. I’m looking forward to reading THE BLIND KEY next year." —Kathy Wollenberg, Author of Far Less
"Jann Eyrich has given us Hugo Sandoval, a San Francisco building inspector as a new kind of detective -- he sees everything. A blue whale washes up on the beach in Mendocino and sets off a string of events that includes murder, extortion, mayhem--and a love story. Or two. Page-turning, dripping with atmosphere, a full cast of quirky supporting characters, and a bid to save the planet in a necessary new genre: the eco-mystery." —Julia Park Tracey, author of the Veronika Layne: Hot Off the Press series
Marketing Plan
- San Francisco March 23 launch event with guided walk along the San Francisco waterfront
- Hugo social media and website for fans of the series: insider info on the Hugo Sandoval Eco-Mystery series and characters, plus Hugo sightings, and news on San Francisco waterfront developments and environmental events and festivals www.hugomysteries.com
- Mystery Market Outreach to Influencers and Reviewers
- Marine Center and bookstore events and promotions
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781736795453 |
| PRICE | $18.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 280 |
