Immersed in the View: A quick-read police procedural set in picturesque Canada

Parks Pat Mystery #4

by P.D. Workman, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

A Wake-Up Call for Parks Pat

Detective Margie “Parks” Pat is back—and this Canada Day, she lands a case she never expected. A body in the water was initially thought to be an accidental drowning, but the autopsy says otherwise.

With no witnesses and a city preparing for Calgary Stampede tourists and visiting dignitaries, Parks races against time to uncover the truth. The homicide squad wants the investigation closed fast, but Parks won’t rest until justice is served.

Tropes You’ll

clever detective work,small-town police procedural,deadly secrets,a race against the clock, anda hero facing personal and professional challenges.“Ms. Workman never disappoints! Well-developed characters, a tight plot, and expert craftsmanship make this a fast, compelling read.”

Set in Calgary’s beautiful parks, this fast-paced mystery is perfect for fans of immersive, clever police procedurals.

Wade into a new mystery with Parks Pat today!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

Audible Audio

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Award-winning Canadian author P.D. Workman has written over a hundred addictive page-turners featuring diverse and divergent sleuths, high-stakes investigations, and stories that linger long after the last page. Her books dive deep into characters’ minds while exploring timely social issues through fast-paced, emotionally charged plots. Readers praise her work for its powerful emotional truth combined with unputdownable suspense.

Shunning sleep, when Workman is not writing, formatting, or marketing, she’s probably running, reading, or spending time with her family.

Check out her catalogue at pdworkman.com to start your next page-turner and sign up for news and special deals.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st read for me in this series. Can be read as a stand alone. I really like Detective Pat, she is relatable and so down to earth and her relationship with her daughter and father makes me smile. The mystery had me. When the group insists on meeting together, you know something is up. I laughed out loud with Detective Pats sense of direction, or lack there of. I appreciate being able to read a book that entertained and still made me think. Yes call me stupid, I know nothing of Canada's history with Indigenous people, and I am intrigued enough to learn. I do understand the feeling with the racist remark, and I see both sides. This book also brings to light the stereotypical thoughts and reactions and I truly appreciate that. I was not lost on the plot but I was little befuddled on the "Parks" till I read the blurbs on books 1-3 . For first time readers she is called to, or finds bodies located in Parks. Let me preface this by saying that's what I am assuming :) I would call this a short story, I am not sure what the limits are for a novella. Thank you to P.D. Workman for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to appreciate here…

Detective Margie Patenaude, a member of the Indigenous Métis Nation, is back to solve another homicide in a picturesque Canadian park. Her penchant for solving such cases has earned her the nickname of “Parks Pat” which is now becoming widely recognized in her community. When a fellow member of the Indigenous community is found dead in one of her neighborhood parks, Parks Pat is on the case. This story offers a completely engaging storyline with plenty of unexpected twists. The characters are diverse, well-developed and relatable. After having read the first three books in this series, they are like old friends that I love to visit with again and again. I respect that P. D. Workman draws positive attention to the Indigenous people who have long been ignored and marginalized. I also appreciate the imagery of these books – they afford a wonderful armchair travel experience. I understand the author draws on personal encounters when choosing the parks featured in this series so I suppose that is why the descriptions are so vivid and detailed. I find I can easily visualize the scenery, I can almost feel the sun and smell the breeze. While I will likely never get to see these places in person, I feel I have already visited them. After Margie mentions seeing a group of black-headed Franklin’s gulls, I had to google them to see them for myself – they are quite striking. Perhaps that will provide prospective readers with an idea of how compelling the writing is in this series. I highly recommend these books to anyone who appreciates engrossing mysteries, likeable characters, and clean solid stories.

I was provided with an advance copy of this book, for which I thank the author, and I am voluntarily sharing my honest and unbiased review.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finding a body while on her morning run, Detective Margie Patenaude is given a one week deadline to find the killer. As unrealistic as it seems, Margie is up for the challenge. Ms. Workman never disappoints! Well developed characters, a tight plot and expert craftsmanship make this one a fast read. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to her next one. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read that is full of mystery and great characters. I have enjoyed each book in this series and am looking forward to reading the next one.

[Barb Foerst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective “Parks” Pat returns when a simple neighborhood walk turns in to the finding of a dead body. Canada Day is coming up and the city wants this possible attack of an indigenous man cleared up before the celebration.

This series provides a police procedural mystery with a quick read. These books are perfect for when you don’t have a lot of time!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story as well as the characters. A longer story with the same general cast of characters would be enjoyable as well I am sure.
4 stars

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poignant

and, like the rest of the series, very definitely binge-worthy❣️

Can hardly wait for the next book😻

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing and suspenseful story. Detective Pat is back on the job, she’s going to solve this mystery as well. Fast paced that has you guessing as you turn each page.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

IMMERSED IN THE VIEW is a nice continuation of the PARKS PAT MYSTERIES series and held my interest from the first page to the last. There is a lot of attention to details even if it's thought to be an accidental drowning when Margie, also known as Parks Pat, first finds the body. But thanks to Margie's adherence to following the trail, it may in fact be a murder investigation. Watching the plot unfold as their police procedures come into play enhanced the story.

I enjoyed the setting of Calgary, Canada and the references to Canada Day. The relationships between Margie and her co-workers were portrayed realistically and added realism to the story. The relationship between Margie and her teenage daughter, Christina was heartwarming as was theirs with Margie's elderly grandfather who lives nearby. The references to Margie's heritage added another layer to the story. There was closure as the case is settled but the story seemed to end abruptly. I do look forward to reading more books in this series. I liked the title and the cover.

Ms. Workman is an author whose books I've enjoyed whether they are one of her mystery series, those with a paranormal bent or those dealing with mental health issues and the dangers and reality the characters face.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Immersed in the View' opens Canada Day morning with Margie running through a local park. She has an eye out for the muskrat that lives in the pond but sees what she believes is luggage in the water. She approaches and realizes it is actually a body. A by passer helps her pull the body from the water. Giving the death notification to the next of kin, she realized that most assumptions of "drunk falls in water and drowns" doesn't apply.

Another great story from PD Workman. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries.

I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immersed in the View is the fourth book in the Parks Pat Mysteries series by P.D. Workman.

Detective Parks Pat finds a body on her day off. This is a good, quick read that deals with some timely topics. I love Margie’s pride in her heritage, her love for her family, and her standing up for what is right. It is entertaining and educational. I recommend this series.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Det. Pat Parks is on a case again, but this time she’s the one who discovers the body on her early morning run! With Canada Day celebrations coming up her boss wants this one solved fast! What makes it worse is that the man is Indigenous, like Pat, and with the recent bodies uncovered at Indigenous residential schools, they are calling to cancel Canada Day. It’s not an easy case to solve. Another great Pat Parks mystery. I received a free copy of this book from the author and write this review voluntarily.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!

Detective Margie “Parks” Pat discovers a body in the park pond during an early morning run on Canada Day. This was supposed to be a day off to spend with her daughter but, as the first officer on scene, it becomes her case. There is pressure to close the case quickly because of all the recent news stories about Canada’s history of horrific abuses of indigenous children but Margie is determined to seek justice for the indigenous victim.

P.D. Workman does an excellent job of combining a murder mystery with a dark period in Canada’s past that still impacts current times. Although it is a quick read, it is well-written.

[Wanda Siesicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good stand alone short story. But, I was puzzled by Detective Margie's explanation of how she determined that it was the murder weapon and who actually used it. Otherwise, it was a good story that reads very easy. Just don't ask the Detective for any directions. 😊

I volunteered a honest review in exchange for an ARC copy of this book.

[Patty Mele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book and I really thought the storyline was so carefully written and made the whole story sound good and this is my opinon. I thought the character built up was so well thought off and written about that I really liked this story and this is my opinion. I receieved this book for free thru an ARC, Advanced Review Copy, with an honest review freely given.

[Maureen Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting indigenous viewpoint

After the bodies of hundreds of Native American children forced into cruel training schools, meant to erase all Native American culture in Canada, Canada Day celebrations are muted. In the midst of this angst, Native American police detective Margie, while on her morning run, finds the body of a Native American man.

[T Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, fast, easy to read and entertaining as the rest of the series. About the "racist" remark: I reserve my right to joke about ANYONE's name, and excluding any group from this would be racist. A complaint like the one in the book will NOT help fight racism.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was somewhat disappointed in the main character’s ability to grasp general concepts and recognize the various scenarios by herself. Perhaps other readers will not concur. I often find reading a character’s quiet thought process too obvious and mundane.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this novel. It wasn't a deep long read, but I did enjoy that the main character was a native Canadian. It made me think of events from her point of view.

I'm not sure that I would buy anymore in the series, the novel was too short for that. It would depend on the price!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. However, the numerous Covid references got old fast.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read about a murder mystery occurring during the finding of bodies of Indigenous people in Canada.

[Sue Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was interesting but the ending brought the rating down to a 3.