Eli Landon is the main character in “Whiskey Beach” by Nora Roberts. The book opens with Landon arriving at Bluff House in Whiskey Beach. Whiskey Beach is the Landon family home. Eli goes there for refuge and to watch over the house while his grandmother heals from a fall.

Landon is a recently retired attorney who has faced the most horrific year of his life. First, Landon discovers that his wife is cheating on him. Then, the soon-to-be ex-wife is murdered. Landon is the only suspect and is arrested. Although Landon is acquitted, his wife’s family and a hard-nosed detective still believe Landon is guilty. Landon decides to go home to Bluff House on Whiskey Beach, a rural Massachusetts beach community. There Landon will work on his novel and attempt to heal from the wounds he incurred.

Landon meets the beautiful Abra Walsh, his grandmother’s helper. Abra is Whiskey Beach’s all around super-woman. She cleans houses, teaches yoga, cooks, designs jewelry, and works at the local pub. Abra is young and beautiful but bears secrets.

Abra is determined to help Eli regain his strength and vigor, despite Eli’s attempts to dissuade her. Abra is not a woman who takes no for an answer. Eli’s grandmother Hester encourages Abra’s behavior.

As Eli starts to put his life back together, he learns that someone is trying to frame him for murder and at the same time, steal the Landon family treasure known as Esmeralda’s Dowry.

An intruder attacks Abra in the house and Eli jumps into action. Eli determines that the intruder was most likely the person that had injured his grandmother which only fuels the fire. Eli, Abra and their friends hatch a scheme to catch the intruder in the act. The plan works and the intruder, allegedly the rightful heir to Esmeralda’s Dowry, is apprehended.

Throughout the story, Eli must use his legal knowledge, his wits and skill to learn the identity of the murder and to save his family’s heritage from ruin. In the meantime, Eli falls in love with Abra and decides to start life anew in Whiskey Beach.