Manolin" by Ernest Hemingway, a hidden manuscript of great value becomes the focal point of a contemporary mystery. Powell Taylor and his wife Dawn Landry inherit the lost manuscript, triggering a series of events that lead from Gulf Breeze, Florida, down the west coast to Key West. The story introduces characters like Captain Limbo, a Keys transplant with a colorful lifestyle, his girlfriend, Annwan Neal, a local exotic dancer and body paint artist, and Charlie Switzer, a dubious acquaintance known for his get-rich-quick schemes. As Powell and Captain Limbo unravel the manuscript's secrets, suspicions arise that Charlie might be involved in the murders surrounding it. After a drunken Party following Fantasy Fest, the plot takes a dark turn when Cuban refugees, following Powell's parents who conceal the manuscript in their boat named "Cuba Libre," become entangled in the pursuit. The narrative culminates near the Dry Tortugas, west of Key West, in a tragic confrontation involving firearms, murder, Cuban chugs, and bodies thrown overboard. The high-stakes drama unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of Key West, with its eclectic characters and the allure of a lost literary treasure driving the narrative forward.