The Fifth Ace

The Fifth Ace by Isabel Ostrander sweeps you into a sun-drenched, suspenseful mystery set in the Mexican oil boom of 1918. Kearn Thode, a young petroleum engineer, rides into Limasito and becomes entangled with colorful figures—Gentleman Geoff, Billie, the enigmatic El Negrito, Tia Juana and a cast of allies and rivals—against a backdrop of palm-shaded plazas, adobe streets and the rush of new money. This literary mystery blends romance, danger and identity as secrets simmer beneath the town’s bright façade: rivalries, hidden loyalties, and a puzzle tied to a fabled “fifth ace” that propels characters into daring gambits and moral reckonings. Ostrander’s prose captures the era’s atmosphere and social tensions, offering both page-turning plot twists and thoughtful glimpses of early 20th-century life on the Mexican oil frontier. Ideal for fans of classic mystery and historical adventure, The Fifth Ace offers rich period detail, vivid characters and a taut, immersive narrative. Listen for an old-fashioned whodunit delivered with wit and exotic setting—perfect for listeners who love atmospheric, character-driven crime fiction from the golden age of mystery.