Circle in the Water

Sharon McCone #35

by Marcia Muller

A series of pranks turn deadly in the latest installment in New York Times bestselling author Marcia Muller's gripping Sharon McCone series.

San Francisco is home to more than 200 privately owned streets. Most are alleyways, but a select few look torn straight from the pages of a magazine. Lined with mansions and elaborate gardens, the properties are luxurious and perfectly maintained; security guards patrol the grounds to keep the curious at bay. Few know of these exclusive enclaves, but those who do prowl for availability, ready to make a grab for the precious real estate if opportunity strikes.

When several such streets are targeted in a series of so-called pranks, Sharon is hired by a coalition of concerned owners to investigate. But as things escalate—an attempt on Sharon’s life, an explosion at a meth lab, and a shocking murder—Sharon realizes far more is at play than a few misdemeanors gone wrong.

The case takes a sudden turn when one of McCone & Ripinsky’s most trusted employees is implicated, and Sharon will have to dig deep to save her agency—and her life.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense, Crime, Contemporary

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2024

About the author

Marcia Muller is an American author of mystery and thriller novels.
Muller has written many novels featuring her Sharon McCone female private detective character. Vanishing Point won the Shamus Award for Best P.I. Novel. Muller had been nominated for the Shamus Award four times previously.
In 2005, Muller was awarded the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master award.
She was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Birmingham, Michigan, and graduated in English from the University of Michigan and worked as a journalist at Sunset magazine. She is married to detective fiction author Bill Pronzini with whom she has collaborated on several novels.

Reviews

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Years ago, I read the Sharon McCone mysteries regularly. She was one of the first fictional tough female PIs. Then school, work, life interfered and I got away from reading them. It’s been a while since I picked one up and Sharon has come a long way from her first book in 1977 when she was a San Francisco PI, on staff at a legal cooperative. She is married and in partnership with her husband, has her own agency with staff and resources, including a plane. There are 30+ books in the series.

In this case, there has been vandalism on some of the privately owned streets (who knew some were privately owned?) in the city and Sharon has been hired to find the culprit. Her investigation puts her in danger as she doggedly pursues the truth

Not a heart racing thriller, this is more a solid mystery procedural. It is a fast read and taps into some of the present difficulties in SF with housing prices and homelessness.

Thanks to @netgalley and #grandcentralpublishing for the DRC.

[Mia Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do you ever meet up with a distant aunt only for them to spend 3 hours telling you about cousins on the other side of the family? Even when you aren't interested, they just keep showing you pictures of the kids?

That's this book.

Maybe if you are a fan of the series it's more interesting, but I can't imagine hearing about random side characters love lives on 20 minute tangents is fascinating even if you do know who the heck they are.

I found this boring as all get out and really didn't care by the end. The idea of private streets intrigued me, but it wasn't really used very well.

[Fiona Mackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Does anyone else think this book is the end of the series? We got an update about pretty much every character that’s been in the books, plus an afterword, which indicated the end to me. The actual story was very light, in amongst all the updates and not very interesting either.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good to be back in this world ! I love this series and have read all of them !

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon's new case involves private streets in the city--someone is vandalizing these, and a wealthy group of residents hires her and her team to look into it. There's a lot of lies, drugs, and money involved, some at the highest levels of power, but the team is able to work the case with a combination of dogged determination online and in person questioning. Muller's Sharon McCone mysteries always have the best San Francisco ambiance--this one is no exception--and it's always a pleasure to revisit these characters. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advance copy.

[Deborah Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I think these books are nice, easy reads but this was a little light on intrigue and mystery. The standard characters are very likable and reliable but they have become a little stale.

[SuperWendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 35th book in a long-running series so this reads like the latest episode of a TV show - it's assumed the reader is already up to speed on the characters, so if you aren't? Don't start here.

I've read all the McCone books so while I appreciated the visit with old friends, the actual story was light in the pants. The premise is interesting, that San Francisco has privately owned streets (who knew?) but the actual mystery/suspense felt very much ado about nothing and frankly not fleshed out well. Also for a slim book (221 pages according to Amazon) there's page-filler asides (Sharon and Rae lamenting current events in the city etc.) that felt like unnecessary distractions. That word count could have been better used to beef up the suspense IMHO.

But this series is one of my comfort reads so it worked for me on that level.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🌇

This kindle ebook novel was free from Amazon when I purchased it a year ago. Book 34 of 34

Sharon group has been hired to look into why the private streets are being targeted. She is targeted. There is a murder of one of the owners. It all comes to a happy ending. 🤔

I would highly recommend this series and author to readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventures mystery novels 😉😉 2025 😁🎶

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shortish and to the point mystery featuring San Francisco private detective Sharon McCone.
The mystery is about some incidents connected to private streets they occur on.
It's an easy read and a fair part of the book is the amazing number of characters who turn up in the book..and the Author explaining their relation or connection to Sharon.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been an avid fan since the late 1980s when I was led to Muller's mysteries after reading Sue Grafton's first few books in the Alphabet series made me realize how much I enjoyed a relatively new sub-genre of clever women sleuths. So, as soon as I was approved for the digital review copy, I was immersed in the latest Sharon McCone investigation set in her residential area of San Francisco.

As usual, McCone uses her brains, investigative skills, brilliant agency staff, and input from Hy (her husband) to pinpoint who is behind the vandalism of private properties and murder.

This featured the usual cast of characters from past books, and in a way, it almost seemed like the mystery took a backseat to Muller getting us caught up with the lives of McCone's relatives and friends. But that was fine with me, as that's one aspect I love about this series.

It is no secret that Sharon McCone is hanging up her investigative skills (google "Muller Sleuth Slayers" for an essay by Muller), so my early assumption was correct that this is the last book in the series. I understand why, but I am still heartbroken, especially after Sue Grafton's demise a few years ago. My fingers are crossed that JA Jance can continue with her series, especially the one featuring JP Beaumont.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for the latest in this long-running series with the half star for old-times' sake.
A short, quick read; really a comfort read sort of book. An interesting premise, a convoluted plot, brief cameos by a range of familiar characters.
I read it in one sitting and was satisfied with it, but this was not an example of Marcia Muller at her best.
One brief note: I did get a good laugh out of one character who tried to get Sharon to let her join in the investigation because said character had been so 'helpful'. Sharon says 'no' rather emphatically, much to the dismay of Ms Helpful.
There is a lovely epilogue that reads like a 'good-bye'. If this really was the end for this series, then it ended well. If not? Then I will gladly read the next one.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marcia Muller's Circle in the Water is the latest Sharon McCone mystery. Muller has been writing them for what seems like forever. She's damn good, but this one is not one of her best. It introduces some unique plot elements, including the existence of privately-owned streets in San Francisco. Muller has a knack for navigating the quirks of California geography and integrating California politics into her books. Another trademark element is squeezing in at least one private aircraft flight. (There is always an excuse for McCone to pilot, shoot, and fight.) Over the years as McCone's business has grown, more money, toys, family, employees, and friends have populated the books leading to some plot dilution. It's still worth the read for old time's sake.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Circle In the Water was not what I was expecting, and I was pretty disappointed. At no point was I actually entertained reading this one, unfortunately. Goodreads reviews show a completely different story, though. I believe most readers are enjoying it. It just wasn’t for me. It’s a pretty mild mystery novel, so you might like it! Check it out.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Earlier McCone mysteries were better. This was light on substance, light on plot and heavy on characters. Very light suspense, just Sharon spending time interviewing people and then it barely skims the subject of who is behind the vandalism and why.

An unsatisfactory read for me

[Drw · Rating 1 out of 5]

More a tour guide of San Fran neighborhoods and a walk-down-memory-lane of old cases and colleagues than an actually mystery novel.

sometimes it's better to leave the field while fans still have fond memories.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a treat, I love this series. The walk down memory lane amidst a current case and updates on all the favorite characters who feel like old friends was most enjoyable. May Sharon McCone always have a future case to look forward to Marcia Muller sharing with us.

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing mystery by an author I’ve liked in the past! The only good thing about this book was its length, short!
Not recommended!

[Kris Hansen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Incredible number of characters introduced in this book---way too many. Plot weak, ending weak

[Debbe · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a disappointment. It is hard to believe this was a Sharon McCone mystery.
Muller has always written great mysteries with one of the best fictional detectives ever. I felt like she was saying goodbye, but if so, how sad she ended with such a weak story.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In read Muller's first book, Edwin of the Iron Shoes soon after it was published in 1977. This was the beginning of a mini-trend in mystery fiction, the hard boiled woman private eye, and I read all those authors: Sue Grafton, Sara Paretsky, Linda Barnes. I loved the stories, though, as with all series, there are decent ones, less successful ones, and a few great ones. The women sleuths also have ongoing personal life stories, usually very complex ones, often touching on or destroyed by their work. If you've missed these authors, I suggest you go back and begin at the the beginning of each series A Is for Alibi Indemnity OnlyA Trouble of Fools Or start with short stories Female Sleuths: Great Mystery Series

I have read every book in the series since, even the awful ones, and Circle in the Water is a good one. [My favorite in the series, since you asked, is [book:The Broken Promise Land|669594].

Why the trip down memory lane? Because the afterword of this book leads me to think it is going to be the last in the series. Because of my own age and my fondness for mystery series (the good, the great, the bad and the ugly, I read a lot of them) I've noticed a new trend in my favorite writers -- the book that wraps it up.

Most of them avoid the Reichenbach Falls denouement The Adventure of the Final Problem - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story, so hard to walk back from, so our heroines (and heroes) don't die, but they are left in a pleasant and tidy place where we can imagine them forever heading out on a new case. This was done most brilliantly by Margaret Maron Long Upon the Land but I've seen it in several authors, and I appreciate it. They usually leave a small opening, in case they want to write another book, but if they do not, the characters live on in their published books, ready to be found by other readers.

Muller gives us a summary afterword, not as long or comprehensive as J.K. Rowling's, but still of the "and here are the rest of my notes" variety. It's not as satisfying as incorporating the information into the story, but it serves the same purpose.

This is a decent, not great, book, a must read for series fans, and a decent quick read for those who are meeting Sharon McCone for the first time.

[Viccy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In San Fransico, there are streets that are owned privately, not part of the city's infrastructure. Sharon McCone is hired to investigate acts of vandalism that have hit several houses on these private streets. Sharon's investigation does not appear to produce any connections between the various acts. Than, a murder attempt on Sharon; a meth lab explosion and a murder seem to be a result of her investigation. Hy Ripinsky, Sharon's husband and partner in their detective agency helps as much as he can while still flying out to hand out justice around the world. But, when a member of the M&R staff is implicated in the ongoing vandalism, Sharon becomes very focused on solving the issue. Another good entry in this long-running series (36 books). Sharon McCone and V.I. Warshawski are the two longest-running series featuring female detectives.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 2/3rds into this book I began to think this was the author’s conclusion to what has been a masterful and extraordinary series. The investigation in this book gave McCone the opportunity to return to various locations that had been significant in her life. It also provided moments to let the reader know what was happening with the people that were important to McCone and whom the readers had grown to know over 35 books. The afterword is a beautiful way to end the series and tie everything up for loyal readers.

Sharon and Marcia - thank you!

Update: Just saw confirmation that this is the last Sharon McCone book. See www.sleuthsayers.org/2024/04/time-to-...

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

#38 ehh picked because setting was SF, but I honestly thought it was this author’s first book because the writing was so bad (looked it up and it’s not, yikes). There was no character development, and even though it was a short 211 pages I felt like the whole plot could’ve been less than 100 pages easily. Lots of detail that was not needed and overall just not super enticing. Also, being picky but there was interspersed medical information in there that was just plain inaccurate but was critical to the plot, so that turned me off like do your research if you’re going to write about medical stuff and you’re not a medical person thank you very much

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the 35th in a series, but the first one I have read. Maybe it would’ve been better if I had had more familiarity with the characters, but the author assumed a lot, and it didn’t work as well as a standalone read. I did enjoy the San Francisco setting and I think anyone who lived there would have fun with this murder mystery based on real estate values in private streets in San Francisco.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time Sharon McCone is hired to investigate the happenings on
Privately owned streets in SF. There is a lot of action, crime, pranks, drugs,
And killings that needs to be addressed. A fast read with Sharon, Hy her
Husband and team . A satisfying conclusion along with a lot of money
And lies being thrown around. Enjoy!

[Phyllis · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a person who has read and enjoyed several books by Marcia Muller, I was very disappointed in this short novel. In fact, I had a difficult time even finishing it. I started a week ago, put it down, read other things, went on with life, then finally finished it tonight. I didn’t find the case McCone was working on very interesting, plus there were too many instances of back stories of various characters, including McCone, that really had nothing to do with this case. Plus the case ending was rather abrupt and not very satisfactory. I also thought it combined with the more personal ending was rather disconcerting.

[Marie Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! I have lusted for this book ever since I saw a pre-release notice, and it lived up to my expectations. If you enjoy a good mystery that is well plotted with engaging characters, read this book.

[Mary Weikum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to read this series and after many years saw this and thought I would give it a go. My favorite part was that it was short. Convoluted plot, too many characters. It made me feel that the author phoned it in for a quick buck.

[Cathy Panik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest of many Sharon McCone mysteries, but not one of the best. I recommend starting the series at the beginning to really enjoy them.

[Maya Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another family book club book. I found the setting and concept interesting but the story was unfortunately lackluster and predictable overall :/