Brackish Water — Neil Plakcy

Special Agent Angus Green navigates a complex web of art theft, immigration, and personal discovery. When a young Cuban art historian named Yulirus Diaz is detained after illegally entering the United States, Angus sees an opportunity to unravel a larger criminal enterprise. Yulirus claims knowledge of valuable artwork being smuggled out of Cuba, including a potential masterpiece by the Spanish painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. As Angus digs deeper, he uncovers a sophisticated operation involving not just art theft, but money laundering and discrimination within a prominent Cuban-American business.Balancing the demands of his investigation with his own ethical compass, Angus finds himself advocating for Yulirus and another Cuban immigrant, Elpidio López, the very man responsible for smuggling the artwork. Angus must navigate the complexities of immigration law, FBI procedures, and his own growing empathy for those caught in difficult circumstances. Meanwhile, Angus's personal life is in flux. He's moving in with his boyfriend Lester, a transition that brings its own set of challenges and uncertainties. As he settles into their new shared apartment, Angus grapples with the evolving dynamics of their relationship and his own identity as a gay man in law enforcement. The investigation takes unexpected turns, leading Angus from the brackish waters of the Florida Keys to the sleek high-rises of Miami's Brickell Avenue. Along the way, he must outsmart wealthy art collectors, coordinate with multiple law enforcement agencies, and make split-second decisions that could impact lives and careers. Adding another layer of complexity, Angus receives shocking news about his own family history, forcing him to reconsider his understanding of fatherhood and identity. This personal journey parallels the themes of the Murillo painting at the center of the investigation – a depiction of Saint Joseph and the young Jesus that resonates deeply with Angus's evolving perspective on family and belonging. With its rich exploration of Cuban-American culture, the complexities of immigration, and the high-stakes world of art crime, Brackish Water offers readers a nuanced and compelling narrative that is at once a gripping procedural and a thoughtful examination of human nature. Can Angus navigate the brackish waters of the Florida Keys-- and political privilege-- while staying within the law?