Dead in the Water

Sixth in the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series. After insulting every member of his rowing team, a young titled man dies during a boat race. Daisy and her boyfriend, an inspector with Scotland Yard, sift through the clues.

I think my main problem with this book is really just my problem with the sub-genre itself--I'm tired of slightly quirky characters who stumble upon mysteries in quaint English surroundings. The main character doesn't change or learn anything, and her relationships with other characters don't alter to any real degree. Usually these books are at least good for a few moments of humor, the brain puzzle of guessing whodunnit, and a little window into a historical period. But by book 6 of this series, it's all starting to wear show more thin. I really hope that something big happens in the next book to shake up Daisy and the comfortable groove this series has found. show less

Dead in the Water
3 Stars

While visiting family and participating in the annual Henley-Upon-Thames regatta, Daisy again finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when one of the college rowers dies.

The murder investigation is very predictable as there is only one possible suspect other than the obvious red herring. Nevertheless, the descriptions of the rowing and the regatta are fun as I have actually been to Henley-Upon-Thames during the races, so it brought back fond memories.

The narrator, Mia Chariamonte, is too awful for words, and I switched to the ebook halfway through. Chariamonte is incapable of producing a British accent and mangles the pronunciation of even the most simple of words, such as "path" (short vowel show more pAHth instead of long vowel pAAth), invalid (noun) /ˈɪnvəlɪd/ is read as "in valid" /ɪnˈvælɪd/(adjective), and worst of all, mispronouncing Gloucester as "Glowster" instead of "Gloster". It is easy these days to look up the correct pronunciation of a word before recording in the studio, and it is insulting that a narrator would not even bother to do so.

She narrates one more installment, so I will be reading that one rather than listening. show less

Daisy is sent to cover the 1923 Henley Regatta by a US magazine, and, as Alec reminds her, stumbles on a murder. Basil deLancy an unliked member of a crew is found dead, the most obvious perpetrator is Horace Bott, the cox and as a scholarship student the butt of DeLancy's bile.

And then the bodies start to pile up while Alec and Daisy try to have a weekend to themselves and there's a lot of messing about on the river.

Daisy visits her aunt during the Henley Regatta and inevitably there's a murder. Once again Alec and his team, assisted by Daisy, investigate. This is an entertaining read and the identity of the murder is a surprise. There's also some nice social observation and period detail. An entertaining and fun read.

1920s, law-enforcement, historical-research, historical-novel, family-dynamics, family, pride, verbal-humor, situational-humor, murder, murder-investigation, England, boat-races*****

Daisy is invited to stay with extended family while she pens an article on the synchronized rowing races at Henley. Of course there is a murder, of course Alec arrives to stay nearby, of course he calls for his trusted minions. And, of course, there are plot twists, red herrings, farcical episodes, comedic activities, and crazy relatives. Loved it!
Narrator is unskilled.

A group of oarsmen descend upon Fairacres, once Daisy's home, to compete for a Prized Cup the acrimony between them leads to murder with Daisy, of course, caught up in the midst.

Not very likable characters, got what was coming to them...

As are all of the Daisy Dalrympole mysteries, this was enjoyable. I had thought I had read all of the books but as I re-read the older ones, I find that I don't remember them. It's not too surprising because I likely read them a long time ago. This one took place at a rowing event and it was a very quick read for me. Alec came into it about midway through and He is still getting to Daisy's assistance in this work.