Ive discovered a new favorite author, and his name is RC Burdick.
The Margaret Ellen is an ocean-drenched mystery, filled with vibrant characters, palpable sea breezes, and ine-tingling su e e. Its a story that lingers in the readers mind for days, conjuring up images of blustery sky and sea, saltwater-dampened hair, and personalities that ring to life from the rapidly turned pages. Like a great film, its over far too soon.
Karen Seaweed Cobia is in a dilemma. Treading water in u atisfactory relatio hi , Seaweed knows something has to change. As the charming, boyish charter boat captain sets out to right the wrongs in her life, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of a juicy murder investigation.
Seaweed and soon-to-be-ex boyfriend, Angus Loman, discover a body bo ing in the surf off Hangma Key, an island on the west coast of Florida. Eva Park, local well-known philanthropist, is found face down in the surf with her hands and feet bound and a bullet in her forehead. Because Seaweed was raised by her sea-loving father, owner of Cobias Bait, Tackle, and Charter Service, her resultant marine expertise aids in the murder investigation. The crusty local detective, Myers, begrudgingly accepts her a istance. Nicknamed Grim Li , Myers continues to seek out Kare help as his regard for her skill inte ifies.
As the mystery unfolds, a peculiar woman a roaches Seaweed for help, embroiling her more deeply in the intrigue. Seaweed tries to balance the life she craves on the ocean with the promise to help the young woman, but i tead is catapulted toward a dangerous liaison with the devious culprit who wants her dead.
Mr. Burdicks first mystery is a masterpiece the se e of place is alive and tantalizing; the scenes are vibrant and tangible. I still taste the salt from the onion ring feel the conde ation on the caf tableto and se e the rolling of The Margaret Ellen as it moves through the swells. Burdicks knowledge of boats, waterways, fishing, and life on the Florida coast is dazzling, and lends credibility to the work.
The Margaret Ellen is reminiscent of John D MacDonalds Travis Magee series. As much as I love Travis Magee, I must say that I felt closer to Burdicks characters and more securely at the helm of The Margaret Ellen than I did with Magees houseboat, The Busted Flush. Is that a travesty?
The natural dialogue is brilliantly set to the rustling of sea oats and whistling Austrian pines. The interplay between Seaweed and her father is pricele , emotive, and genuine. Evocative of real life, it brings to mind my own precious relatio hi with my three daughters. When I finished The Margaret Ellen, I was left with the paradox of deep satisfaction coupled with a strong yearning for more. I cared about these characters, and want to know what ha e next. Mr. Burdick has hinted at a sequel and will undoubtedly have a long line of readers anxiously awaiting its release!
Aaron Paul Lazar resides in U tate New York with his wife, three daughters, two grandso , mother-in- law, two dogs, and three cats. After writing in the early morning hours, he works as an electrophotographic engineer at NexPre Solutio Inc., part of Kodak's Graphic Communicatio Group, in Rochester, New York. Additional pa io include vegetable, fruit, and flower gardening; preparing large family feast photographing his family, garde , and the breathtakingly beautiful Genesee Valley; cro -country skiing acro the rolling hill playing a distinctly amateur level of piano, and ending time with the French Impre ionists whenever po ible.
Although he adored raising his three delightful daughters, Mr. Lazar finds grandfathering his two little buddies to be one of the finest experiences of his life. Double Forte', the first in the series, was published in January 2005. U taged, number two, is in production. With eight books under his belt, Mr. Lazar is currently working on the ninth, which features Gus LeGarde and his family. http://www.legardemysteries.com
BY:VooFox.net
- Los Angeles City Re-writes Free Car Wash Fundraiser E-Book
- The Road of Silk: Book Review
- James Martells Methods and Yahoo
- Silent Lies - Book Review
- Enron Debacle: Review Of Kurt Eichenwalds Conspiracy Of Fools A True Story
- Surviving the Mall: Shopping with Kids
- The Seventh Jewel - Book Review
- The Storyteller - Fiction Books!
- Jason Seeleys War - Book Review
- The 18 Immutable Laws of Corporate Reputation - A Book Summary