Florida defense lawyer Lilly Cleary defends new clients Angus and Miguel, avid environmentalists, in an oddball case. Her clients claim specific oranges glow in the dark and are dangerous to eat. Forget first amendment rights, the Florida orange crop is sacrosanct to Floridians whose economy relies on oranges. As Lilly begins the investigation, someone murders Angus. The cops' main suspect in the murder is his partner, Miguel. Lilly, drawn to this unbelievably gorgeous man, attempts not to jump his bones and instead concentrate on getting him cleared.

The clues send Lilly snooping into the murder of a major polluter found drowned in toxic waste. Talk about poetic justice! However, Miguel could top that list of suspects. With the help of her handyman, when he's not in a wine- induced haze, Lily uncovers more information that's explosive. The phosphate mining operation engages in unsavory activities to keep the mines working. Suddenly, Lilly's probing puts her in danger along with the endangered Florida panther.

BONE VALLEY is a humorous mystery that informs readers of the near-collapse of the Florida ecosystem. Matturro educates readers regarding the dangers of losing the Everglades and the pollution of the Peace River and other rivers due to phosphate mining. She prods and tries to inspire a public that seems indifferent to the pollution encompassing Florida. However, Matturro does not forget to entertain her readers with a lively cast of characters and a quirky sense of humor.

Book Summary

Lilly is defending two environmentalists against bogus law suits, based on Florida’s veggie libel statute, when one of them is blown up in front of her. A phosphate mine CEO is found floating dead in a toxic pool of phosphate waste, and somehow Lilly must discover the connection between the two murders before she’s the next victim. Along the way, Lilly stops to help her new friend, Lenora, save her animals, stops a dangerous phosphate mine, and adopts a baby blue jay orphan.