A cozy murder mystery lurks just beyond the imposing gates of an upscale Florida Continuing Care Retirement Community where the intertwined lives of staff and residents unravel to reveal unsavory goings-on in Death Spiral: A Nautilus Retirement Home Mystery. When partially digested human remains are discovered during an alligator necropsy, the investigation leads back to the Nautilus where security guard Gus Trout relies on his experience and intuition as an ex-cop to help bring a killer to justice. This humorous whodunit unfolds as Minnesota transplants adjust to life in Florida, trying to balance the beauty, privilege and opulence of life at the Nautilus with the grittier reality of trailer park living, precarious finances, and deadly threats from predators of the two and four foot variety. Missing jewelry, motives aplenty, and a medley of miscreants give Gus a run for his money as he tries to solve a missing persons case that morphs into murder.