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judyward's review against another edition
3.0
I had a few hours this afternoon so I picked up this book thinking that I was going to skim it. Oh well, the best laid plans....within about ten pages I was drawn into the plot and I settled down with a cup of hot tea and enjoyed the adventure.
robinsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
As a huge fan of Marcia Muller, I was, as usual, eagerly awaiting her 33rd entry into the Sharon McCone series, and this did not disappoint--in fact, it was one of the best among the last 10 titles.
As Len on Dancing With the Stars would say, "There was no muckin' about, just a pure mystery." And I agree.
From the first page, Muller sets up her trademark atmospheric location (this time coastal San Francisco) and immediately proceeds to put McCone right in the middle of a missing person investigation, and in this case, the missing young woman is a friend and former neighbor. The action never stops as Sharon methodically follows every lead she can find and pulls in members of her company's team to track whatever technological tricks they can use. And it ended the way a mystery should end, with the revelation of an unsuspected character (I did suspect a little but wasn't sure).
I hope Muller continues the adventures of Sharon McCone although I got a whiff of a possible end to the series, and all I can say is PLEASE CONTINUE SHARON'S CASES! They are especially needed with the demise of my other favorite mystery author, Sue Grafton.
As Len on Dancing With the Stars would say, "There was no muckin' about, just a pure mystery." And I agree.
From the first page, Muller sets up her trademark atmospheric location (this time coastal San Francisco) and immediately proceeds to put McCone right in the middle of a missing person investigation, and in this case, the missing young woman is a friend and former neighbor. The action never stops as Sharon methodically follows every lead she can find and pulls in members of her company's team to track whatever technological tricks they can use. And it ended the way a mystery should end, with the revelation of an unsuspected character (I did suspect a little but wasn't sure).
I hope Muller continues the adventures of Sharon McCone although I got a whiff of a possible end to the series, and all I can say is PLEASE CONTINUE SHARON'S CASES! They are especially needed with the demise of my other favorite mystery author, Sue Grafton.
kim58's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
yetanothersusan's review against another edition
4.0
In this installment, Sharon investigates close to home when her former neighbor's daughter disappears. While investigating, her neighbors disappear. Thankfully Sharon has the resources to send someone after them in South America while keeping a full contingent looking locally for the daughter. At the same time, Sharon is dealing with the hospitalization of her mother. Overall a solid entry into the look at McCone's life.
psalmcat's review against another edition
4.0
Quick in and out book here, about one of Shar's nieces disappearance. She makes a lot of discoveries about her family, some sad stuff happens, but nothing horrifying. Big changes afoot at the McCone homestead however, including a third cat, in the next book. Also, I knew who the bad guy was pretty much as soon as the character appeared on the page.
judya's review against another edition
3.0
Closer to 3.5 than 3 stars.
The Sharon McCone series has banked away from the aviation-heavy novels, fortunately, and has reverted to character-driven California mysteries. The character Hy isn't as prominent as he had been, also an improvement.
It's not a spoiler to mention that the Breakers is a deteriorating apartment building in San Francisco, which plays a role nearly like another character in the disappearance of the older child of McCone's former neighbors, Chelle. Chelle is trying to renovate the place when she drops out of sight, leaving behind a cryptic note. Of course, McCone takes on the case pro bono.
If you had liked Sue Grafton's alphabet series, left incomplete, Marcia Muller's books are a more than adequate substitute. Muller (and her husband Bill Pronzini) pay much more attention to research and accuracy than did Grafton. As a result, I find them more interesting.
The Sharon McCone series has banked away from the aviation-heavy novels, fortunately, and has reverted to character-driven California mysteries. The character Hy isn't as prominent as he had been, also an improvement.
It's not a spoiler to mention that the Breakers is a deteriorating apartment building in San Francisco, which plays a role nearly like another character in the disappearance of the older child of McCone's former neighbors, Chelle. Chelle is trying to renovate the place when she drops out of sight, leaving behind a cryptic note. Of course, McCone takes on the case pro bono.
If you had liked Sue Grafton's alphabet series, left incomplete, Marcia Muller's books are a more than adequate substitute. Muller (and her husband Bill Pronzini) pay much more attention to research and accuracy than did Grafton. As a result, I find them more interesting.
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