Dead in the Water

For a book that started pretty light, it got very intense toward the end- such that "cozy" fans would likely not like it.

As a mystery, it's OK; the murderer came out of left field rather, apparently having had some sort of psychotic break. This means that there were not hints in the previous text as to the murderer, so while it resolved, it also seemed arbitrary to me.

I have not read the previous novels in the series, but did not feel a lack from that. It seems that the previous 3 books were more "cozy".

The mystery was OK, as were the characters. I did not find Rebecca compelling enough to want to read more about her, though.

Rebecca Schwartz is feeling down after her boyfriend Rob goes off to Harvard for a fellowship which feels like a break up. She meets up with a friend whose husband has left her to commiserate. As a result she takes a couple of weeks off to visit the woman, Marty. Marty works at the Monterey Aquarium and both women’s love of fish is what brought them together. But Marty’s not what Rebecca thought she knew. When Marty’s rival is murdered and Marty arrested Rebecca gets involved. She meets several of Marty’s coworkers and their families particularly being drawn to one single Dad, Julio and his daughter, Esperanza. This plot was another over the top like the first volume and the romance weak.

This is the first I've read of the Rebecca Scwartz mysteries and I have to say I prefer Ms. Smith's Skip Langdon novels. It was an enjoyable read but Rebecca just isn't as smart and able as Skip. However a less that perfect Smith mystery is still better than most.

This is the first I've read of the Rebecca Scwartz mysteries and I have to say I prefer Ms. Smith's Skip Langdon novels. It was an enjoyable read but Rebecca just isn't as smart and able as Skip. However a less that perfect Smith mystery is still better than most.

Attorney and exotic fish fancier Rebecca Schwartz has plans to relax in picturesque Monterey, California, with her friend Marty Whitehead, who works at the Aquarium. But when Marty's boss, Sadie Swedlow, the woman who has seduced her husband, is found dead in a giant tank at the aquarium, Marty is the Police Detective’s favorite candidate. Rebecca sets out to prove her friend's innocence, but unsavory rumors of promicuity and child neglect make her wonder how well she really knows Marty. Another murder occurs and suspicion falls on Marty’s colleague, Julio Soto, which distresses Rebecca as she has begun to have tender feelings for him and his little girl.The ending is a shocker with Rebecca struggling to save her own life and the show more lives of other would-be victims show less

murder in Monterey