Review: Water Like a Stone

A Christmas vacation turns into a mystery involving several families. Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Sgt. Gemma Jones work together at Scotland Yard. They also live together. This year they are spending Christmas with Duncan’s family in the country. Duncan’s thirteen year-old son Kit and Gemma’s five year-old son Toby along with their dogs, Geordie and Tess travel to Duncan’s parents home. Although Hugh and Rosemary Kincaid live on a farm, they own the bookstore in the village.

Duncan’s sister Juliet is married to Casper Newcombe who is in the investment business. Juliet formerly worked for Casper and his partner Piers Duncan. Juliet began to suspect that Piers with his high life style might be crooked. She decides to quit her job with her husband’s company. Piers, aware of her suspicions, has planted doubts in Casper’s mind about Juliet’s fidelity. Juliet and Casper’s children Sam and Lally are suffering from the constant arguments between their parents.

Duncan and Gemma are very unaware of the problems in Juliet’s life or how these problems will turn their Christmas vacation into more work than holiday.

Juliet has started her own construction company. Her current project is the remodeling of a dairy barn close to her parent’s home and to the nearby canals. While winding up her work for the day Juliet discovers the body of a baby buried in the wall of the dairy farm. She first calls her brother Duncan and when Duncan arrives at the dairy farm, he immediately summons the police. Ronnie Babcock an old school chum of Duncan’s is the officer in charge.

Soon Duncan and Gemma find themselves involved in the mystery of the body found in the barn on Christmas Eve.

Duncan’s son Kit is fascinated with Lally, Juliet’s daughter. Lally is running around with Leo, Piers Dutton’s son. Kit is afraid that Lally is going to wind up in big trouble and tries to protect her.

Duncan and Kit met Annie Lebow while out for a walk. Annie Lebow is the owner of a narrowboat called The Lost Horizon. Annie spends her days running the boat up and down the canal. Annie was formerly a social worker who decided to give up her job and live her life on the narrowboat. Annie is still married. Her husband has remained living in Annie’s family home and they have a good relationship.

The mystery of the baby found in the wall brings to light many other problems involving Juliet’s family as well as Annie and another family whose home has always been a narrowboat.

Deborah Crombie blends the above facts regarding several families together to come up with a very exciting story. The scenery and the history of the narrowboats alone make this book worth reading. The mystery presented to the reader is not one easily solved.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.

Book Review: Water Like a Stone

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.