Reviewing: "and on the surface DIE: A Holly Martin Mystery" by Lou Allin

Author Lou Allin takes readers to the tiny town of Fossil Bay, British Columbia, which at one time was Holly Martin’s home. It hasn’t been for a number of years and she can see how some things have changed and yet other things are exactly as they were when she left. Now she is back as a corporal in the RCMP and in charge of the small three person force. Assisted by Corporal Ann Ivory who has been forced into a desk job instead of taking over the detachment as she should have and Constable Chirakumar “Chipper” Knox Singh the three are expected to deal with tourists, petty crimes, drunk drivers, speeders and the like along with the occasional storm that will cut off the area from outside help.

They aren’t supposed to have to deal with death especially on Holly’s first day in charge. But, that is exactly what they have. A local teenager has been found and pulled from the water. Not only was the victim an accomplished swimmer, as it happens, the victim was from a local private school. The same school Holly Martin attended and the memories aren’t good.

In addition to dealing with the death investigation, Holly must deal with her past. Progress is coming to the area changing the pristine views and creating some ugly present day truths. There are some ugly past truths which have to be uncovered and dealt with as well.

Lou Allin has crafted a strong novel full of scenic imagery, misdirection and plenty of atmospheric suspense to kick off her new mystery series. The book contains quite a few major characters that are realistically portrayed as real people with good things and bad about them. They come to life quickly and shepherd readers through their daily lives and through a steadily deepening mystery with few clues and plenty of misdirection. The result is a very good novel that ends all too soon.


And on the surface DIE: A Holly Martin Mystery
Lou Allin
http://www.louallin.com/
RendezVous Crime (Napoleon & Company)
http://www.napoleonandcompany.com/
2008
ISBN# 978-1-894917-74-2
Paperback
$15.95
272 Pages

Material supplied by the author in exchange for my objective review.


Kevin R. Tipple © 2010