In The Lost Republic by W J Speed, Ace Gonzales grew up in Tennessee but moved to Florida when he was sixteen. He studied Marine Biology and is a passionate environmentalist. He writes for a local paper and heads up the opposition to a large residential development by an LLC conglomerate named Emerald Oasis Towers. He is aware of the damage the new construction will do to the environment and the lives of the people in the area. His efforts to disrupt their plans make him a target for the criminal elements of the multinational company. He is also in the sights of a stalker who blames Ace for a murder he didn’t commit. Add to the mix a new romantic element, the betrayal of a friend, and the descriptions of fishing and the wild creatures in southern Florida, and there is never a dull moment.

Author W. J. Speed is an environmentalist and Ace Gonzales spearheads the fight against yet another condominium in his part of Florida. There are excellent descriptions of the wildlife and fish as Ace takes his skiff out along the seagrass. This book held my attention from the first page to the last. It is not only filled with beautiful descriptions of the area but is also a story of danger and romance. We meet many interesting characters, several of whom are villains, and not forgetting Trigger the dog. The characters are real and I cared about them, which is important for me as a reader. The author has described the surroundings so clearly that you feel as if you are there. Times spent on his boat Origin and fishing from his skiff takes you into another world. There is lots of action and plenty of suspense, and I suspect there will be more books in the series. The added environmental information makes The Lost Republic an interesting and informative book as well.

The Lost Republic by W.J. Speed is a crime novel with Ace Gonzalez as its lead character. Ace runs the local bar and has taken it upon himself to oppose the Gulf Coast Florida development project that threatens beachfront areas and the local ecology. The initiative is said to spur more tourist activity and create jobs, but Liona, leading the project, and her team of thuggish bodyguards are utilizing extreme measures to stifle Ace’s objections. His woes intensify when he is arrested on suspicion of murder while reporting a dead body near his boat. This murder arrest echoes a prior case involving Ace, from which he was cleared. He doesn't trust law enforcement or politicians, believing they all gain financially from the development. Acting alone, Ace discovers something more sinister about the new plans.

The Lost Republic effortlessly captures the reader's interest through its intriguing murder mystery. W. J. Speed's steadily paced narrative reflects his passion for the natural environment and the negative impacts of real estate projects. The author builds a suspenseful plot, revealing the darker motives of greedy developers. Ace, the protagonist, is an affable and laid-back figure. Despite the overwhelming odds, readers can't help but admire his steadfast resolve. Likewise, his adversaries are portrayed realistically and convincingly, with their true intentions propelling the plot forward and keeping readers guessing about upcoming events and whom to trust. While Ace’s mission plays out satisfyingly, the story leaves room for a possible sequel. The Lost Republic is a captivating story weaving themes of good and evil and packed with suspense. Crime-solving enthusiasts will find it a compelling read.