What do you think?
Rate this book
A Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron Mystery #2
The Murder Hole
Deep water . . .
Jean Fairbairn is off to write a story about the haunted waters of Loch Ness. She has an appointment with American scientist Roger Dempsey, who is using his latest gadgets to try and prove that the legend of the monster, Nessie, is true.
Jeans business is checking out legends. Some hold water, some don't, and some are about much more than H2O.
But the troubled water she finds at Loch Ness is colder than its snow-melt and darker than its peat-stained depths. Sonar and other remote-sensing tools might find Nessie, but what scientific instrument can plumb the mysteries of death?
Troubled, too, are the waters that run between Jean and Detective Inspector Alasdair Cameron. Will another encounter bridge the depths that lie between them? Or will their story end at the hands of a murderer, in the icy water of a loch that never gives up its dead?
Jean Fairbairn is off to write a story about the haunted waters of Loch Ness. She has an appointment with American scientist Roger Dempsey, who is using his latest gadgets to try and prove that the legend of the monster, Nessie, is true.
Jeans business is checking out legends. Some hold water, some don't, and some are about much more than H2O.
But the troubled water she finds at Loch Ness is colder than its snow-melt and darker than its peat-stained depths. Sonar and other remote-sensing tools might find Nessie, but what scientific instrument can plumb the mysteries of death?
Troubled, too, are the waters that run between Jean and Detective Inspector Alasdair Cameron. Will another encounter bridge the depths that lie between them? Or will their story end at the hands of a murderer, in the icy water of a loch that never gives up its dead?
419 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Lillian Stewart Carl
64 books58 followersAuthor bio:
Lillian Stewart Carl's work often features paranormal/fantasy themes and always features plots based on mythology, history, and archaeology. Most of her novels take place squarely in the twenty-first century, where the past lingers on into the present, especially in the British Isles, Lillian's home away from home.
She is the author of nineteen novels so far, including the Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron mystery series---America's exile and Scotland's finest on the trail of all-too-living legends.
Her newest novel is Fairbairn/Cameron number six, THE MORTSAFE.
Of her mystery, fantasy, and sf short stories, twelve are available in a collection titled ALONG THE RIM OF TIME, and thirteen, including three from "Best Of the Year" anthologies, are collected in THE MUSE AND OTHER STORIES OF HISTORY, MYSTERY, and MYTH.
All of Carl's work is available in electronic as well as paper form.
She has also co-edited (with John Helfers) a retrospective of Lois McMaster's Bujold's science fiction work, titled THE VORKOSIGAN COMPANION, which was nominated for a Hugo award.
Lillian Stewart Carl's work often features paranormal/fantasy themes and always features plots based on mythology, history, and archaeology. Most of her novels take place squarely in the twenty-first century, where the past lingers on into the present, especially in the British Isles, Lillian's home away from home.
She is the author of nineteen novels so far, including the Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron mystery series---America's exile and Scotland's finest on the trail of all-too-living legends.
Her newest novel is Fairbairn/Cameron number six, THE MORTSAFE.
Of her mystery, fantasy, and sf short stories, twelve are available in a collection titled ALONG THE RIM OF TIME, and thirteen, including three from "Best Of the Year" anthologies, are collected in THE MUSE AND OTHER STORIES OF HISTORY, MYSTERY, and MYTH.
All of Carl's work is available in electronic as well as paper form.
She has also co-edited (with John Helfers) a retrospective of Lois McMaster's Bujold's science fiction work, titled THE VORKOSIGAN COMPANION, which was nominated for a Hugo award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 15, 2014
This second in the series was sliding at an easy three stars until about the middle of the book. Most of that is my personal impatience with the whole Loch Ness... mythology is too dignified... bunk. Yeah, bunk. Not that the book treats it any more seriously than is reasonable or anything.
And it isn't helped that Jean and Alasdair are still struggling along in their broken(ish) emotional constipation at the same time. Between the relationship ambiguity and Nessie mania I just couldn't connect. That first half.
But then things heat up. The pace picks up. The Nessie nonsense moves to the sideline (where it belongs). And, as in the first book, the characterization really does shine. By the end, I was as satisfied as with the first--enough to ease it into the four stars I end up with.
I particularly like that the two main characters' emotional relationship, while a slow boil, is progressing. Both Jean and Alasdair are scarred and Carl makes that work in a way that doesn't feel even a little bit contrived or forced. Again, excellent characterization really makes a difference and is a big part of why I find myself so immersed even when I find some of the trappings grating.
And it isn't helped that Jean and Alasdair are still struggling along in their broken(ish) emotional constipation at the same time. Between the relationship ambiguity and Nessie mania I just couldn't connect. That first half.
But then things heat up. The pace picks up. The Nessie nonsense moves to the sideline (where it belongs). And, as in the first book, the characterization really does shine. By the end, I was as satisfied as with the first--enough to ease it into the four stars I end up with.
I particularly like that the two main characters' emotional relationship, while a slow boil, is progressing. Both Jean and Alasdair are scarred and Carl makes that work in a way that doesn't feel even a little bit contrived or forced. Again, excellent characterization really makes a difference and is a big part of why I find myself so immersed even when I find some of the trappings grating.
May 25, 2018
Well, 3 1/2 stars, really. Former academic, journalist Jean Fairbairn doesn't think too much of businessman Roger Dempsey, but she goes off to cover his attempt at finding the Loch Ness monster. She's staying at the bed-and-breakfast run by the daughter of the man who developed theories about Nessie in the 1930's, after his wife disappeared and he was charged with murder. Dempsey's boat explodes, killing one of his assistants, and DCI Alasdair Cameron arrives, stirring up Jean's emotions. Both of them have bitter divorces behind them, and both of them experience supernatural phenomena--but is that enough for a relationship? The ghosts give them a clue as to what happened to the missing wife, but meanwhile Dempsey's wife is murdered, too.
August 17, 2019
2019 Reread
Rounded up a star, because I quite liked this one. The push and pull of the relationship dynamic worked better for me on reread. And the setting again entertained me, because I've since been to Loch Ness. Also, I remembered more of the story in this one. Something about it stuck.
Also, while I was reading this at about midnight last night, someone got out on one of the balconies of my apartment building and gave a few experimental bleats of the bagpipes. In downtown Ottawa. I laughed pretty hard.
2019 Reading Challenge - A book inspired by mythology, legend or folklore
2017 Read
I still quite enjoy this series. The character work is solid. The mystery was pretty good. I like both main characters.
Like it's predecessor, it did take me a little bit of time to get into this one (maybe 40 pages or so), and I get that the whole crux of the relationship (or mostly lack thereof, at this point) is that both Jean and Alasdair play things close to the vest, and are basically walking wounded relationship-wise, but there were a couple of times in this where one of them would say something, and the other one would get upset and completely withdraw, but I honestly didn't know what was so bad in the first place? I went back and reread a conversation at one point, and still couldn't quite figure it out.
But in the end, I still mostly like this, SO.
Rounded up a star, because I quite liked this one. The push and pull of the relationship dynamic worked better for me on reread. And the setting again entertained me, because I've since been to Loch Ness. Also, I remembered more of the story in this one. Something about it stuck.
Also, while I was reading this at about midnight last night, someone got out on one of the balconies of my apartment building and gave a few experimental bleats of the bagpipes. In downtown Ottawa. I laughed pretty hard.
2019 Reading Challenge - A book inspired by mythology, legend or folklore
2017 Read
I still quite enjoy this series. The character work is solid. The mystery was pretty good. I like both main characters.
Like it's predecessor, it did take me a little bit of time to get into this one (maybe 40 pages or so), and I get that the whole crux of the relationship (or mostly lack thereof, at this point) is that both Jean and Alasdair play things close to the vest, and are basically walking wounded relationship-wise, but there were a couple of times in this where one of them would say something, and the other one would get upset and completely withdraw, but I honestly didn't know what was so bad in the first place? I went back and reread a conversation at one point, and still couldn't quite figure it out.
But in the end, I still mostly like this, SO.
February 14, 2016
Although I didn't read the previous mystery in this series, I take it that Jean Fairbairn and Alasdair Cameron have been on a case together before. They are thrown together again when Jean goes to cover a story about the search for the Loch Ness Monster, the expedition boat blows up killing a crew member, and Alasdair is called in to investigate. Jean is a reporter who does no reporting that I noticed, she just snoops around and gives her information to Alasdair. They are both sensitive to ghosts so they get some clues they would not otherwise know about. Kind of convenient.
This a light mystery, rather boring in my opinion. Jean and Alasdair have a romantic interest in each other but their relationship is moving along at the brisk speed of a glacier.
This a light mystery, rather boring in my opinion. Jean and Alasdair have a romantic interest in each other but their relationship is moving along at the brisk speed of a glacier.
July 8, 2011
I'm sort of regretting the time I spent on this. Although I always like those mysteries that involve uncovering some sort of family skeleton, this one was pretty tedious at times, and the cute metaphors and creative writing got rather close to parody level. Example (p. 303): "Alasdair had thawed from ice-rimed to merely refrigerated. His drawbridge might be closed, but somebody was home. She could see the movement through his arrow slits and murder holes." Way too much time spent ruminating on relations between the hero and heroine, when there seemed no real reason for it.... Oh well. It wasn't terrible, but I'm done with this author.
Read
June 13, 2017I think, after all, that this author is not for me. I couldn't get through the first book in this series either. However, I did read one of her stand-alone stories and liked it.
This had a wonderful mixture of elements that would promise a good read: mystery, Scotland, history, castles and a bit of the supernatural. However, I found the book very slow going and was just not enjoying it enough to slog through the whole book.
This had a wonderful mixture of elements that would promise a good read: mystery, Scotland, history, castles and a bit of the supernatural. However, I found the book very slow going and was just not enjoying it enough to slog through the whole book.
April 15, 2016
I really didn't like this book at all. Very slow and I found I had to keep reading certain sentences more than once.
May 24, 2023
"MONSTERS, MYSTERY and MURDER
"American journalist Jean Fairairn, on an assignment for Great Scot magazine, is covering a new effort to unravel the mystery of Nessie, Scotland's Loch Ness monster. At the helm of the controversial probe is an American scientist who believes his technology will prove or disprove the monster's existence once and for all. But the locals -- who profit from the tourist dollars Nessie brings -- are protesting. So is an outspoken environmentalist, as the area is full of ancient Pictish artifacts ... possibly a treasure trove.
"As the mystery and magic of Nessie come to life in Jean's investigation, threatening letters and untimely death wreak havoc with the expedition. Jean must confront her turbulent feelings for investigating detective Alasdair Cameron, as the pair uncover the sinister truth about who stands to profit from Scotland's rich history -- and who will die."
~~back cover
A very interesting take on the Nessie phenomenon -- I don't know enough to be able to judge whether it's even remotely possible for it to be true. But provocative nonetheless. Certainly, carvings by the Picts depict a mysterious beast with flippers. It's also true that it was inn 1933 that the Loch Ness monster’s legend began to grow. It's also true that in December 1933 the Daily Mail commissioned Marmaduke Wetherell, a big-game hunter, to locate the sea serpent. Along the lake’s shores, he found large footprints that he believed belonged to “a very powerful soft-footed animal about 20 feet [6 metres] long.” However, upon closer inspection, zoologists at the Natural History Museum determined that the tracks were identical and made with an umbrella stand or ashtray that had a hippopotamus leg as a base; Wetherell’s role in the hoax was unclear. And it's certainly true that in the early 21st century it was thought that it contributed nearly $80 million annually to Scotland’s economy.
The romance between Jean and Alasdair takes a step forward . . . a few petals on the bud ease open, leaving the future as problematic and murky as ever.
And the mystery is as murky and convoluted as ever: a numerous cast of suspects, all with different motives, make unraveling the various crimes difficult, if not impossible. The denouement is a boat trip on Loch Ness at evening time, with dramatic and disastrous consequences. An HEA? Possibly.
"American journalist Jean Fairairn, on an assignment for Great Scot magazine, is covering a new effort to unravel the mystery of Nessie, Scotland's Loch Ness monster. At the helm of the controversial probe is an American scientist who believes his technology will prove or disprove the monster's existence once and for all. But the locals -- who profit from the tourist dollars Nessie brings -- are protesting. So is an outspoken environmentalist, as the area is full of ancient Pictish artifacts ... possibly a treasure trove.
"As the mystery and magic of Nessie come to life in Jean's investigation, threatening letters and untimely death wreak havoc with the expedition. Jean must confront her turbulent feelings for investigating detective Alasdair Cameron, as the pair uncover the sinister truth about who stands to profit from Scotland's rich history -- and who will die."
~~back cover
A very interesting take on the Nessie phenomenon -- I don't know enough to be able to judge whether it's even remotely possible for it to be true. But provocative nonetheless. Certainly, carvings by the Picts depict a mysterious beast with flippers. It's also true that it was inn 1933 that the Loch Ness monster’s legend began to grow. It's also true that in December 1933 the Daily Mail commissioned Marmaduke Wetherell, a big-game hunter, to locate the sea serpent. Along the lake’s shores, he found large footprints that he believed belonged to “a very powerful soft-footed animal about 20 feet [6 metres] long.” However, upon closer inspection, zoologists at the Natural History Museum determined that the tracks were identical and made with an umbrella stand or ashtray that had a hippopotamus leg as a base; Wetherell’s role in the hoax was unclear. And it's certainly true that in the early 21st century it was thought that it contributed nearly $80 million annually to Scotland’s economy.
The romance between Jean and Alasdair takes a step forward . . . a few petals on the bud ease open, leaving the future as problematic and murky as ever.
And the mystery is as murky and convoluted as ever: a numerous cast of suspects, all with different motives, make unraveling the various crimes difficult, if not impossible. The denouement is a boat trip on Loch Ness at evening time, with dramatic and disastrous consequences. An HEA? Possibly.
July 3, 2021
A book on ancient Pictish culture and rock art is published in 1934, following the disappearance—probably murder—of two women. Now, 70-odd years on, investigations in pursuit of two great puzzles of Scottish archaeology and biology are afoot: Pictish culture and the “Loch Ness monster”—Nessie. Another young woman has disappeared, a man and a boat, in service to once and for all either debunking or affirming the existence of the are blown up, and altogether too much about Loch Ness seems to bring competing interest into conflict with one another.
While an entertaining read, the plethora of characters at times get in the way not only of each other but also of the several plots that unfold through journalist Jean’s investigations. The rivalry/romance between Jean and detective Alisdair seems a literary wedge that is used to pry certain revelations out of the downpour of details, but also unnecessarily complicates the essential questions that anchor the narrative.
While an entertaining read, the plethora of characters at times get in the way not only of each other but also of the several plots that unfold through journalist Jean’s investigations. The rivalry/romance between Jean and detective Alisdair seems a literary wedge that is used to pry certain revelations out of the downpour of details, but also unnecessarily complicates the essential questions that anchor the narrative.
June 3, 2022
Jean Fairbairn, writer for “Great Scot Magazine,” is in Inverness to interview some folks on the Loch Ness monster phenomenon. Iris Mackintosh, local environmental activist and whose father claims to have seen Nessie in the 1930s, is also on Jean’s list of interviews along with American scientist, Roger Dempsey. Dempsey is in Inverness to prove Nessie does exist by using his latest electronic gear to search the waters. A backdrop to this all is the “Midsummer Monster Madness Festival.”
During the fireworks show the first night, Dempsey’s boat explodes out on the water. One of his divers is killed. The consensus is it was intended to kill Dempsey. He had already received death threats.
Jean finds herself drawn in to solving the crime and also dealing with her feelings when Detective Alistair Cameron arrives on the scene. They had worked together before.
A good cozy read with a fair share of red herrings to keep you guessing.
During the fireworks show the first night, Dempsey’s boat explodes out on the water. One of his divers is killed. The consensus is it was intended to kill Dempsey. He had already received death threats.
Jean finds herself drawn in to solving the crime and also dealing with her feelings when Detective Alistair Cameron arrives on the scene. They had worked together before.
A good cozy read with a fair share of red herrings to keep you guessing.
May 24, 2021
Exciting mystery
Jean Fairbairn is out investigating claims of the Loch Ness monster which were previously revealed by Ambrose Macintosh 70 years prior. His reputation was tarnished by the death of his young wife Eileen and his trial for her murder. Jean is also investigating that old case using her paranormal ability to view and experience ghost activity. An explosion claims a young life, Jean is run down on the side of the road, another suspicious death along with bizarre behaviors by others challenges Jean and Alasdair in their investigations. But eventually things become clear. Jean and Alasdair get closer also in their personal relationship.
Jean Fairbairn is out investigating claims of the Loch Ness monster which were previously revealed by Ambrose Macintosh 70 years prior. His reputation was tarnished by the death of his young wife Eileen and his trial for her murder. Jean is also investigating that old case using her paranormal ability to view and experience ghost activity. An explosion claims a young life, Jean is run down on the side of the road, another suspicious death along with bizarre behaviors by others challenges Jean and Alasdair in their investigations. But eventually things become clear. Jean and Alasdair get closer also in their personal relationship.
May 13, 2011
Reporter and reluctant sleuth, Jean Fairbairn heads off on a new assignment for her magazine, "Great Scot." The assignment is the discovery, or at least the festival, of Nessie at Loch Ness, Scotland. It is based upon the history of a man in 1933 making the 'discovery' of a stone from Pictish days.
As in the earlier book, we find Dr. Fairbairn very researched and educated in regards to her subject which gives us, the readers, wonderful background and historic facts to savor as Ms. Carl weaves a storyline of suspense, discovery, and murder around us.
Chief Inspector Alasdair Cameron is on hand at the festival due to death threats having been made towards one of the hopeful discoverers, Dr. Roger Dempsey. We quickly learn there are shady persons involved almost in every facet of the festival/discovery digs.
In addition, there is an old-fashioned but, lovely to enjoy, romance blossoming between Jean and Alasdair. It takes us back to old days when courtship was an art to be learned and practiced. I find it lovely and filled with it's own special suspense.
I truly loved "The Murder Hole" as a complete novel and took extra time in reading it as I did not want the book to end. I did like the ending though.
As in the earlier book, we find Dr. Fairbairn very researched and educated in regards to her subject which gives us, the readers, wonderful background and historic facts to savor as Ms. Carl weaves a storyline of suspense, discovery, and murder around us.
Chief Inspector Alasdair Cameron is on hand at the festival due to death threats having been made towards one of the hopeful discoverers, Dr. Roger Dempsey. We quickly learn there are shady persons involved almost in every facet of the festival/discovery digs.
In addition, there is an old-fashioned but, lovely to enjoy, romance blossoming between Jean and Alasdair. It takes us back to old days when courtship was an art to be learned and practiced. I find it lovely and filled with it's own special suspense.
I truly loved "The Murder Hole" as a complete novel and took extra time in reading it as I did not want the book to end. I did like the ending though.
October 2, 2014
I liked this... a lot. (one tiny sort-of spoiler below) It started out rather slowly, but gradually picked up speed and intensity. By the time I got part of the way in, I was hooked by both the story and the humor. Lillian Stewart Carl sometimes skirts the bloody edge of parody; I really enjoyed that she never quite steps off the edge. If the mysterious door had opened and closed one more time by itself... There were several times I had to stop reading to laugh for a moment. It's refreshing to find intellectual fun in a murder mystery.
It fascinated me that there is an acknowledged paranormal element here, and yet Ms. Carl doesn't subscribe to the airy-fairy element in her treatment of it. This is again refreshing to find.
My only argument with the author and her series is... now I have to track down and read the rest of them. Oh, darn.
It fascinated me that there is an acknowledged paranormal element here, and yet Ms. Carl doesn't subscribe to the airy-fairy element in her treatment of it. This is again refreshing to find.
My only argument with the author and her series is... now I have to track down and read the rest of them. Oh, darn.
June 27, 2011
Jean Fairbairn goes to Loch Ness to interview people including Roger Dempsey launching his 'Water Horse Expedition" looking for evidence of the monster during a well publicized festival. Alasdair Cameron gets called in when Dempsey's research boat explodes and kills an employee.
April 7, 2014
Jean investigates Loch Ness. I'm really enjoying this series with its thoughtful and prickly, mature characters. All the allusions are fun, too.
October 31, 2014
Jean and Alasdair at it again, this time at Loch Ness. Throw in archeology, explosions, and Nessie and you have a winner.
June 13, 2024
All right, I'm definitely hooked up on this series.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews