Dead Drunk

by Jean Ayer, Robert Ayer (Editor), Kevin Meredith (Editor)

Anyone with an alcoholic family member can relate to the bizarre behavior and antics of the characters in Dead Drunk. An intriguing detective mystery novel set in a summer resort town on the coast of Maine in the 1980s, it evolved from the actual story of the author’s life with her upper crust alcoholic husband and their dysfunctional family and friends. The perspectives of seasonal residents, as well as the local people who work for them, give a glimpse of ‘how the other half lives.’ In addition to the immediate family, the characters range from the husband’s eccentric drinking buddies to the hard working serving staff; from a dotty old lady to the sensible chief of police and his nephew to a hard-bitten, belligerent local yokel. Much of the story is told from the point of view of the sympathetic barman, Richard, during and after parties at the family "cottage," Alderwood. For years he has catered at the big old cottages of the wealthy summer community, and so has come to know these people, their eccentricities, and something of their relationships with the peculiar family at Alderwood. Richard remembers the erratic behavior of his own alcoholic father. He is still haunted by the memory of its heart-wrenching effects on his mother, so he understands the quirky, seemingly inexplicable behavior of this family. He empathizes particularly with the plight of the children. They suffer, as did Richard, from their father’s verbal aggression, the traumatic effects of which are vividly portrayed. Though the father's transgressions are well hidden by his seemingly immaculate social persona, friends of the family bear witness to the gradual degeneration of the his character. His behavior has become increasingly spiteful and erratic. The children’s distress is profound. In one case, it is utterly devastating.One of the summer crowd dies unexpectedly after a party at Alderwood. It doesn’t surprise Richard that, given the habitual nonchalance of his clients, no one seems terribly upset by the death. They see no reason not to carry on with their usual party routine. Even for the hosts, reactions are subdued. The loss is only a distraction from the tragic drama of their lives. In keeping with their attitude, their response is . . . what’s done is done; there’s no point in belaboring the issue. Richard, however, is so disturbed by the death that he feels compelled to make meticulous notes after the party. He becomes obsessed by the mystery, and analyzes the events of that evening. He seems to be the only one to suspect foul play . . . until the dead man's contentious, meddling sister-in-law, who knows a good deal about the hidden dramas of the Alderwood crowd, calls in a police detective. The investigation turns up many bones from the closets of this disturbed family and its circle of friends. Richard’s insight and inside knowledge further illuminate the enormity of the group’s dysfunction, despite their affectations of propriety. His first-hand account proves invaluable in the pursuit of the surprising solution to the case.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2014

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this up in Bar Harbor. Local writer. Pro: Nice tale set in Bar Harbor. Con: Slow build up. Murder did not happen to almost 100 pages. Too much focus on the perils of alcoholism.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in a Christie fashion, I wish it read faster and had a bit more depth. It does touch on alcoholism and the challenges of social class in DownEast Maine, and I thought the selected time period was intriguing. The ending was satisfying, but I did wish the murder had happened a bit sooner.

All in all, an enjoyable read, and always love reading books by Maine authors.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blech.

[alie m · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Maine murder tale about the rich folk who summer vs the year-round locals. Slow build up with a nice twist at the end