Book Review: Cyanide Wells

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

Cyanide Wells     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Marcia Muller
Class/Genre:   Mystery
I had originally planned to put this book off for a few days, as I'd
just picked up a library book that I had to read quickly as it was
on hold. But I decided to read a page or two of Cyanide Wells first,
and got hooked.

This is a standalone, not one of the McCone series. It is mostly set in California, and begins with a mysterious incident in 1998. Gradually, as the novel picks up the story in the present day, the reader becomes better acquainted with the main characters, who are very interesting and well-developed. I also liked the way all the threads in the plot were tied up at the end of the novel. The plot was suitably convoluted for a mystery novel, although some aspects of it ­ environmentalism, development, corruption ­ were not very well developed. This novel is not only a murder mystery, although there are certainly murders, crimes, and mysteries. It is also a fascinating description of a psychopath, gradually revealed through the reactions and inquiries of the other people in the novel. Although the plot was interesting and as intricate as a mystery novel plot should be, the strength of the novel is in the development and interactions of the main characters.

Cheryl - RAM

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

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