It is rare to encounter a mystery novel that is both suspenseful and relaxing to read, but author Deb Pines has accomplished just that with the leisurely (yet never boring) pace of BESIDE STILL WATERS. This charming mystery novel is set at the real-life Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York, and the book’s descriptions stunningly capture this setting, bringing it to life for readers who have never set foot anywhere near Chautauqua Lake’s shores. The novel would be worth a read if only for the affectionate depiction of historic houses and camp activities. The darkness of the plot is a perfect juxtaposition to this bucolic loveliness.
BESIDE STILL WATERS, the latest in a Chautauqua-based series, is a classic mystery novel, centered around the disappearance of beautiful Jenny Van Alstine, an artist whose larger than life personality may have earned her one – or many – enemies at the Institution. Local reporter Mimi Goldman is on the case, and she is a charming amateur sleuth. With the gated, sometimes claustrophobic setting, and its limited cast of characters (who may have fishy back stories and relationships to the missing woman), this is an escapist “who dunnit” in the vein of Agatha Christie.
The book introduces an appealing cast of characters, all of whom are fully fleshed out by its end, and it is great fun to guess at who may have nefarious motives. We are introduced to a pragmatic yet cold husband, a naive teenage swim instructor, a brawny maintenance man, a gruff but sensitive grandfather, and many others, creating a colorful cast of potential suspects. The fun of these kinds of books, which the author clearly realizes, is that right up until the final big reveal, just about any character could be the guilty one.
Readers will also appreciate the fun clues and red herrings thrown into the mix, like envelopes of cash, a dark figure appearing in night time windows, a stolen historic postcard, a character with an unexpected gun permit, and another character with a disconcerting knack for breaking and entering and responding to others’ text messages. One key character even teaches a college course entitled “How to Commit the Perfect Crime.” All of this adds up to a believable universe that draws readers in.
An Agatha Christie for the text message age, the unique setting and twists and turns of BESIDE STILL WATERS will appeal to any mystery fan.
~Jennifer Dixon for IndieReader