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Rebecca Schwartz #4
Dead in the Water
What's the etiquette when your hostess is arrested for murder?
San Francisco lawyer Rebecca Schwartz has occasion to wonder when she and her weekend hostess, Marty Whitehead, find a body floating in the 30-foot kelp tower at the Monterey Aquarium, and Marty's promptly dragged off to the slammer.
Rebecca quickly grasps the Emily Post solution—sign on as Marty's lawyer, try to keep her client's two young kids out of the deep end, and somehow avoid drowning in the sea of lies gushing from Marty's mouth--and everyone else’s. There’s a lot of intrigue among the aquarium's oceangoing primates, as well as rumors of a pearl beyond price.
For Rebecca, the sea and all its animals have always held huge attraction, but now her attention turns to a particularly fine specimen of homo sapiens--hot marine biologist Julio Soto. As her investigation picks up speed, she finds she better act fast to keep Julio from sleeping with the fishes he collects. Because if she doesn't, he could be next in line for the shark tank—along with Rebecca herself.
San Francisco lawyer Rebecca Schwartz has occasion to wonder when she and her weekend hostess, Marty Whitehead, find a body floating in the 30-foot kelp tower at the Monterey Aquarium, and Marty's promptly dragged off to the slammer.
Rebecca quickly grasps the Emily Post solution—sign on as Marty's lawyer, try to keep her client's two young kids out of the deep end, and somehow avoid drowning in the sea of lies gushing from Marty's mouth--and everyone else’s. There’s a lot of intrigue among the aquarium's oceangoing primates, as well as rumors of a pearl beyond price.
For Rebecca, the sea and all its animals have always held huge attraction, but now her attention turns to a particularly fine specimen of homo sapiens--hot marine biologist Julio Soto. As her investigation picks up speed, she finds she better act fast to keep Julio from sleeping with the fishes he collects. Because if she doesn't, he could be next in line for the shark tank—along with Rebecca herself.
226 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 21, 1991
360 people are currently reading
812 people want to read
About the author
Julie Smith
259 books403 followersAuthor of 20 mystery novels and a YA paranormal adventure called BAD GIRL SCHOOL (formerly CURSEBUSTERS!). Nine of the mysteries are about a female New Orleans cop Skip Langdon, five about a San Francisco lawyer named Rebecca Schwartz,two about a struggling mystery writer named Paul Mcdonald (whose fate no one should suffer) and four teaming up Talba Wallis, a private eye with many names, a poetic license, and a smoking computer, with veteran P.I. Eddie Valentino.
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
In Bad GIRL SCHOOL, a psychic pink-haired teen-age burglar named Reeno gets recruited by a psychotic telepathic cat to pull a job that involves time travel to an ancient Mayan city. Hint:It HAS to be done before 2012!
Winner of the 1991 Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel, that being NEW ORLEANS MOURNING.
Former reporter for the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE and the San Francisco CHRONICLE.
Recently licensed private investigator, and thereon hangs a tale.
Resident of New Orleans, Louisiana
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
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November 28, 2019digitalbookspot
November 30, 2017
Breezy, Quick Read
This is a murder mystery with plenty of variegated characters, each a personality strong enough to be a Star of the Show.
It is not “dark” but is a story of broken relationships and breaking relationships, yet all but one of the Characters (the Perp) are likable and even admirable. The core of the theme is optimism.
There are children involved who behave like children, childish one minute, too grown up the next. All the characters seem real because, in the aftermath of brutal action, they suffer trauma as real people do. But you know they are strong enough to come through the ordeal even stronger.
The year is not mentioned, but it is set in the time when “Cell Phone” meant a large thing permanently installed in a car.
This is a murder mystery with plenty of variegated characters, each a personality strong enough to be a Star of the Show.
It is not “dark” but is a story of broken relationships and breaking relationships, yet all but one of the Characters (the Perp) are likable and even admirable. The core of the theme is optimism.
There are children involved who behave like children, childish one minute, too grown up the next. All the characters seem real because, in the aftermath of brutal action, they suffer trauma as real people do. But you know they are strong enough to come through the ordeal even stronger.
The year is not mentioned, but it is set in the time when “Cell Phone” meant a large thing permanently installed in a car.
September 21, 2019
An entertaining read for adults.
Ms. Smith has written a story with mystery, murder, mayhem, jealousy, love, and solid friendships. Rebecca Schwartz is a lady who has worked too hard and played too little. Relations are shifting and becoming redefined. It's time for some changes or at least a break. A nice trip to the beach is in order, but stuff starts to happen. What is going on? Rebecca is going to find out, or die trying.
Well written with mature humor and a bit of snarkiness, lies, and dangerous secrets abound.. Romance, or something close to it, fills the air. This is no vacation.
Ms. Smith has written a story with mystery, murder, mayhem, jealousy, love, and solid friendships. Rebecca Schwartz is a lady who has worked too hard and played too little. Relations are shifting and becoming redefined. It's time for some changes or at least a break. A nice trip to the beach is in order, but stuff starts to happen. What is going on? Rebecca is going to find out, or die trying.
Well written with mature humor and a bit of snarkiness, lies, and dangerous secrets abound.. Romance, or something close to it, fills the air. This is no vacation.
March 23, 2020
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.
April 24, 2023
A very interesting scene and set of circumstances for the first murder. Then the second one seemed connected. So the plot thickens. And all the time Rebecca is meeting lots of new people. She falls in love with several children and falls in lust with a man. This complicates her job not only as an attorney who is offering to represent people who may need one and of course her real job of being the private eye to track down all the clues, verify or disprove everybody's alibi, and get herself in a lot of danger. The story seemed more complicated than the other books in this series, and the ending was definitely filled with tension. But overall a very good read!
July 26, 2018
Where have all the sea otters gone????
Rebecca was supposed to take a restful break in the sea side city of Monterey. Well, we all know how that usually turns out. No rest for our favorite lawyer. Secrets,thefts, murders, homicidal maniacs, and that's just for starters. A new love, or at lust interest. The killer came as a big surprise to this reader. All of the plot twists will keep you on your toes. As usual, Ms. Smith comes through with a winner.
Rebecca was supposed to take a restful break in the sea side city of Monterey. Well, we all know how that usually turns out. No rest for our favorite lawyer. Secrets,thefts, murders, homicidal maniacs, and that's just for starters. A new love, or at lust interest. The killer came as a big surprise to this reader. All of the plot twists will keep you on your toes. As usual, Ms. Smith comes through with a winner.
July 12, 2025
I read this book for a challenge.
Maybe because it was the 4th in a series or something but wow, all the characters here were NUTS. And not the good kind.
The kids were messed up but who could blame them, the adults were MESSED UP.
I can't believe the MC is a lawyer, like for real?
And apparently EVERYONE WAS A CHEATER. What in the world did I read?
I finished because I wanted to know what was going to happen and IT WAS THANKSGIVING.
WHAT? WHAT?
Maybe because it was the 4th in a series or something but wow, all the characters here were NUTS. And not the good kind.
The kids were messed up but who could blame them, the adults were MESSED UP.
I can't believe the MC is a lawyer, like for real?
And apparently EVERYONE WAS A CHEATER. What in the world did I read?
I finished because I wanted to know what was going to happen and IT WAS THANKSGIVING.
WHAT? WHAT?
October 5, 2018
3.5 is more accurate. I just couldn’t warm up to the character of Rebecca. I had received a book with two mysteries featuring her, and when I finished this one I just deleted the other. I had spent too much time with a character I didn’t particularly like. Others may warm to her. Story is interesting.
December 6, 2019
ANOTHER AWESOME READ!!!
Rebecca Schwartz is in California and gets involved with all the people (including children) involved with a mysterious murder at a Aquarium. Great characters, many mysterious happenings. Rebecca has to sort out, who's telling the truth and who is hiding the truth. A can't put down, until the very end!!
Rebecca Schwartz is in California and gets involved with all the people (including children) involved with a mysterious murder at a Aquarium. Great characters, many mysterious happenings. Rebecca has to sort out, who's telling the truth and who is hiding the truth. A can't put down, until the very end!!
July 17, 2023
A very fishy tail
The protagonist reminds me of some of the young female lawyers that I worked for years ago. The book is not really heavy, but it does get it to some hairy situation. I have read some of her other books, such as Louisiana Longshot. A good writer, well thought out enjoyable book.
The protagonist reminds me of some of the young female lawyers that I worked for years ago. The book is not really heavy, but it does get it to some hairy situation. I have read some of her other books, such as Louisiana Longshot. A good writer, well thought out enjoyable book.
June 26, 2024
I read all five books. I have no idea why, they were not that good and a little confusing. Rebecca falls in and out of love a lot; which is actually typical for a 20 something. But I just did not care for her character. For a smart person, she does a lot of dumb things. Anyway, I did read all 5 books. Will probably not read any more.
January 26, 2018
Fun filled read
A great mystery from the start. Lovely settings and enough drama to fill two books.
Rebecca is an attorney who does more than just defend clients. She goes after the truth and along the way she finds love.
A great mystery from the start. Lovely settings and enough drama to fill two books.
Rebecca is an attorney who does more than just defend clients. She goes after the truth and along the way she finds love.
July 17, 2018
Good story.
It held my attention all the way through. Characters evolved, the villain wasn't too predictable, writing style was engaging. 3-dimensional people & relationships that leave you wanting to know what happens next.
It held my attention all the way through. Characters evolved, the villain wasn't too predictable, writing style was engaging. 3-dimensional people & relationships that leave you wanting to know what happens next.
July 30, 2019
Another awesome story
More suspects than murders -to start anyway. As the story progresses you can’t be sure who the murderer is or who will be next. Can Rebecca move past Rob or will they stay a couple? Story keeps you reading.
More suspects than murders -to start anyway. As the story progresses you can’t be sure who the murderer is or who will be next. Can Rebecca move past Rob or will they stay a couple? Story keeps you reading.
September 9, 2019
Deep
I have read 2 of Julie Smith's novels. She is so inventive and real that she makes me feel as if I am right there in the mystery. Great books and I plan to read plenty more.
I have read 2 of Julie Smith's novels. She is so inventive and real that she makes me feel as if I am right there in the mystery. Great books and I plan to read plenty more.
September 11, 2019
Dead in the Water
This story was quite different from the predecessors. It has suspense, drama, and intrigue. The others were more comedic. This was a surprising change of pace. I wonder what the next installment will be.
This story was quite different from the predecessors. It has suspense, drama, and intrigue. The others were more comedic. This was a surprising change of pace. I wonder what the next installment will be.
August 23, 2021
A fun read
Knowing the Monterey Bay Seaquarium helped visualize the story as it unfolded. An enjoyable read! Rebecca is someone I'd like to get together with over some wine and cheese☺☺
Knowing the Monterey Bay Seaquarium helped visualize the story as it unfolded. An enjoyable read! Rebecca is someone I'd like to get together with over some wine and cheese☺☺
November 26, 2016
This was a fun read. Some of the events were so rich white people as to be unbelievable in how they happened. But over all they story was great.
August 16, 2017
A fun quick read and while some parts were maybe a little out there I enjoyed the book.
September 14, 2017
Well written.
February 20, 2018
skimmed through most of this - just couldn't get into it. It was successful in making me want to visit the Monterey Aquarium again.
April 14, 2018
Quit halfway through
Couldn’t take the level of language and it was only a decent storyline. Halfway through foul language in every sentence and then some. Unnecessary.
Couldn’t take the level of language and it was only a decent storyline. Halfway through foul language in every sentence and then some. Unnecessary.
July 3, 2018
I’ve read worse.
July 13, 2018
Good plot....but too much fluff
Good plot but Not enough characters development, too much fluff....story could have been told in half a book. Quick read o k ....but
Good plot but Not enough characters development, too much fluff....story could have been told in half a book. Quick read o k ....but
September 16, 2018
Full review to follow.
September 11, 2018
Another excellent Rebecca Schwartz Adventure!
October 27, 2018
Wow
Another great Rebecca Schwartz story. I ever had an idea who the villain was until the end. Loved the characters and whole plot.
Another great Rebecca Schwartz story. I ever had an idea who the villain was until the end. Loved the characters and whole plot.
December 5, 2018
A page turner!
This can't put down book keeps you reading until the very end. It has a combination of suspense and romance to keep you reading.
This can't put down book keeps you reading until the very end. It has a combination of suspense and romance to keep you reading.
January 30, 2019
LBGA content throughout series and sexual oddities - “Rob and Marty’s husband, Don.” Not my cuppa but if you are - my sympathies.
March 15, 2020
Like the new cast of characters in this book. I like how she interacts with children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews