Deep
Waters
A
Callie Anson Mystery
Kate
Charles
Poisoned
Pen Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-59058-602-6 (1590586026)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-602-0 (9781590586020)
Publication Date: March 2009
List Price: $24.95
Synopsis (from
the publisher): In a culture obsessed with celebrity, baby
Muffin’s death is big news. Crib death? Or something more
sinister? Everyone wants to know, including the police.
Whatever the truth, the bereaved parents -- celebrity couple Jodee and
Chazz -- live in curate Callie Anson’s London parish, and
Callie becomes involved with funeral arrangements, despite the
disapproval of her vicar and his wife.
Detective Inspector Neville Stewart is recalled from his honeymoon to
investigate the case -- with disastrous personal results. And
journalist Lilith Noone’s professional future is on the line,
as she is sucked more and more deeply into her own flirtation with
celebrity culture.
Meanwhile, for police family liaison officer Mark Lombardi, the death
of baby Muffin is eclipsed by another death, much closer to home, and
he finds himself in an impossible position, torn between his loyalty to
his family and his growing love for Callie.
Review:
Anglican curate Callie Anson finds herself drawn into the investigation
surrounding the death of a baby in Deep
Waters,
the third mystery in this series by Kate Charles.
Callie’s troubles begin on a stormy windy night when her roof
tiles begin to slide and tear her roof apart. It will take the roofer
from six weeks to two months to repair it. She is forced to move into
the vicar’s home next to the church where she is not
particularly welcomed by his wife. While there a baby girl, the
3-month-old child of celebrities, is found dead in her crib. Detective
Inspector Neville Stewart is called away from his honeymoon to
investigate the death. The first theory is SIDS. Mark Lombardi, a
Catholic who is in love with Callie, is the family liaison officer. He
calls Callie since the parents lived within her constituency. The
parents decide they want Callie rather than a priest to carry out
official duties surrounding the baby's funeral. But there's something
else: the baby had a hairline fracture in her neck, the possible result
of being shaken too hard. About the same time, DI Stewart and Mark are
notified of the death of Joe di Stefano, Mark’s
brother-in-law, though there is a mystery surrounding his fatal heart
attack. Mark is put on leave because of his family association.
Mark’s niece, Chiara, being fond of Callie, leans on her for
comfort in her grief. Mark’s sister, however, tells Mark in
no uncertain terms that Callie to back off. If Chiara is to talk to
anyone is it to be with her or their priest. Can the strain in Callie
and Mark’s relationship be revived after Mark issues his
sister’s ultimatum? And what will happen to
Stewart’s marriage after he chooses his job over his new wife?
Deep
Waters is an excellent
mystery. Not only is the storyline compelling, but the characters have
an emotional range that adds depth and interest for the reader, and the
relationship between Callie and Mark is particularly noteworthy.
There's also the subplot about celebrities, how easily they are
popularized by the press and how quickly they can be forgotten by the
public. The actions of the tabloid press are brought to bear here, how
a scoop can make or break a journalist's reputation, regardless of who
might be hurt in the process or even if the truth is ever reported.
This is a series that continues to evolve and improve with each
succeeding book.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Deep Waters and to Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2009 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
Have you read Deep Waters? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series ...
Evil
Intent
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), October 2005
ISBN-10: 1-59058-200-4 (1590582004)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-200-8 (9781590582008)
Secret Sins
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), March 2007
ISBN-10: 1-59058-356-6 (1590583566)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-356-2 (9781590583562)
Deep Waters
Poisoned Pen Press (Hardcover), March 2009
ISBN-10: 1-59058-602-6 (1590586026)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59058-602-0 (9781590586020)
Omnimystery
keywords for Deep Waters
...
Location(s) referenced: London, England.
