Dead In The Water

A Cape Cod Mystery #2

by Keith Yocum

An empty, blood-stained boat found floating off Cape Cod sends a reporter back to a place that’s been both romantic --- deadly.

Stacie Davis never thought she'd be back in Cape Cod, let alone covering another story. But when an expensive powerboat is discovered abandoned and covered in blood, her editor at the Boston newspaper sends her back to the place where she once found herself in harm's way.

As she delves into the investigation, Stacie reunites with Carl Lane, a charming charter boat captain with whom she had a brief and intense romance. But their careers and distance tore them apart, and Stacie is unsure how she'll react to seeing him again.

As Stacie digs deeper into the story, she uncovers a simmering tension between the town's new affluent residents and the local fishing community. And when she begins to suspect that the abandoned boat is linked to a larger conspiracy, she becomes a target for those who want to keep their secrets hidden.

Caught between her instincts and the danger lurking below the surface, Stacie must unravel the truth before it's too late. But on Cape Cod, where the ocean and the town hold their own secrets, will she be able to uncover the truth before it consumes her?

For fans of suspense and romance, Dead In The Water is a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. If you enjoyed "The Perfect Couple" by Elin Hilderbrand, you'll love this book.

"...Chatham, like the ocean, keeps its secrets"-- Kirkus Reviews

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2024

About the author

Keith Yocum was born in Ridgecrest, California, the civilian town supporting the China Lake Naval Weapons Center in the Mojave Desert. He grew up overseas as an Army brat, including long stints in the Panama Canal Zone and Western Australia. He has an undergraduate degree in philosophy and a graduate degree in journalism. He had an extensive career in publishing, including publications like The Boston Globe and The New England Journal of Medicine. He lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and is the author of eleven novels. His espionage thriller "Valley of Spies," was picked by Kirkus Reviews as one of the best indie mysteries, crime stories, thrillers of 2019. He was a semi-finalist in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award with his Vietnam War mystery "Daniel."

Reviews

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A yacht is found floating on the water near Chatham, Cape Cod, in the middle of a storm. There is no one found onboard. At first it is thought the owner may have accidentally fallen overboard while trying to reel in a huge blue fin tuna. but the discovery of large amounts of blood suggest something much more sinister. Now, Stacie, a young reporter, has been sent to cover the story and soon learns about ongoing hostilities between local commercial fishermen who depend for their livelihoods on the quickly depleting fisheries and newly arrived wealthy sport fishermen who often follow them to find the best fishing spots. The missing man was known for this and the previous year, a local man had fired at the yacht.

Dead in the Water by Keith Yokum is a well-written and compelling page-turner with an interesting story and characters. I was invested enough in the story that I read it in one sitting. This is the first book I have read by this author but it won’t be my last.

Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

[Foxy Vixen · Rating 4 out of 5]

270 Pages
44 Chapters
Book 2 in Series
Cape Cod

Stacie finds herself back in Cape Cod investigating a man who disappeared from his boarding, The Big Bite. A Coast Guard investigator comes to help solve the mystery. Meanwhile Stacie and Carl start up their relationship again, will it work out this time.

[Lynda Walls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery

This wasn't what I expected but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down for long- it's definitely one of those, even if sleep deprivation is an issue.

[Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead in the Water is book 2 in the series featuring Boston Globe newspaper reporter Stacey Davis although it works perfectly well as a stand alone novel.

When a high profile dentist disappears from his expensive boat whilst fishing for bluefin tuna, Stacey is sent to Cape Cod by her editor to find out if any thing worth printing.

Feeling that there is more to the story than just an accidental man overboard, Stacey teams up with her ex boyfriend to investigate.

A missing person, a grieving widow, a missing life insurance policy and a suspicious amount of blood found on board the Big Bite lead Stacey into an investigation that's about to turn deadly.

The book starts off with an intriguing 'abandoned boat' scenario in the tradition of the Marie Celeste, then becomes a missing persons hunt as the authorities search the ocean for survivors and then bodies.

From then on, although the plot remains interesting, Stacey's investigation becomes a series of lucky coincidences rather than an investigation. Being in the right place at the right time seems to be the plot device that the author uses to drive the story forward and fails to showcase any investigative skills on Stacey's part.

The relationships between the main characters in law enforcement, coast guard and journalism are fractious and unhelpful, even between those who are supposedly friendly to each other.

I would liked to have seen a bit more character development, particularly with the lead investigators and the chief suspect. The romantic sub plot adds an extra dimension to Stacey and also helps the plot move forward when required.

Overall, I enjoyed both the plot and the writing style. I would be happy to follow Stacey's adventures in the future and would also love to read more about the background on the Coast Guard investigator.

I'd recommend this to anyone with an interest in crime fiction or stories set in the New England area. An interest in fishing or nautical themes is not required as this doesn't form the bulk of the story although is an interesting part of the whole.

[T Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book, with and interesting setting and an OK plot. However, the story is a little slow, and there's a lot of characters to follow in the first part. The characters are believable, and the dialogue is good.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting page-turner. I want to read the first of this series and eagerly await the next one. Terrific protagonist with a hint of romance in her life. So glad I was able to forget the world around me and finish the story. I had some hints of things to come, but there were still many surprises. I know the author will have further fantastic adventures in store for her and the folks in Cape Cod. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary. Thrilled to have discovered this new-to-me author.

[KerryO · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and I especially liked the protagonist, Stacie. She epitomizes a really good news reporter with her dogged pursuit of not only the story, but also of the truth. There is plenty of twists and turns and Stacie continues to put herself at the forefront of the action regardless of the personal risks. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Selena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery occurs when a boat is found floating in the water, with no one onboard. It was a little frustrating with the cast of characters and the lesson in the lives of the fishermen and those who fish for pleasure.

Once I got sucked in, though, it was a good read and full of twists and turns. I can't recommend this to my students, but have to others interested in mystery.

I was given the opportunity to read this by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Kevin A. Cronin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of his I read. I live on Cape Cod and raised in Boston. I am familiar with all of the landmarks which may have influenced my appreciation of the story positively. The twist at the end was a surprise.

[Dave Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not knowing much about this part of the world (Cape Cod) it was terrific to find myself there, especially as part of an entertaining story with some really nice shifts and surprises. I'll be heading to Cape Cod more often now on a Yocum charter.

[Warren McGoldrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the reasons I enjoyed it is because I’m familiar with the setting. For the most part, the Author seems to be too.

[Terri Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Good Story

This is my second Cape Cod Mystery, and it was another page-turner. I kept turning pages to find out who done it and how.

[Peter Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story

This is a fascinating story that takes place on familiar landscape. As the onion is peeled, we learn that things are not as they seem on the surface. Characters interact, help and hinder each other, and some grow and learn. The reader keeps learning. A real twist at the end is both surprising and believable. The writing is good. Dialogue is fun and witty. I learned about boating, the Cape, and police procedures. I like strong female characters.