Death at the Water's Edge

by Miriam Winthrop

Anton and Catarina Cardosa have just realized their dreams. The President of the Azores has approved their proposal to help preserve their unique culture, and they have moved their family to Santa Maria to transform a derelict property into a rural hotel, Casa do Mar. But the first murder on the island in living memory threatens to turn their dreams into nightmares.

Each book of the Azores Heritage Mysteries is set on a different island in the picturesque archipelago, and features a recurring cast of endearing local characters and visitors. As mysteries are solved, the tension between tradition and progress is explored.

Death at the Water’s Edge offers a glimpse into the history, culture, and people of Santa Maria.

182 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2015

Reviews

[Lisa Castle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this happenstance detective story-- quiet Azorean folks trying to be Inspector Barnaby-- charming and endearing, if not great.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the author of one of my all-time favorite books (Saudade) this is the first book of a promising new series. (I've already read the second book, as well.) As usual, Winthrop's forte is in her utterly believable, endearingly-flawed characters. The affection she has for the Azores islands in which she sets her books comes through in every chapter, with descriptions of the natural beauty, history and culture. I did have to remind myself that Winthrop's intent in her new series is quite different. There was no wrestling with some of the knottier problems of life (although I do see a theme and its evolution in the first two books of the series: tradition versus progress.) This is a lighter mystery. It may not have grabbed me as firmly as her other books, but it was well worth reading the book that sets up a charming new mystery series. And the second book's a winner!

[AlexNJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

My initial impression was that this book was a bit like floating in warm water--not a demanding brisk swim (with all its benefits)--but a brief, pleasant wash of words and characters. Then in the days after I finished, I found myself smiling as I thought about those characters: Anton, the giant of a man with a tender heart; Catarina, his beloved wife; and Lori, the American woman who rose to the top of the corporate world and fell to the bottom when she tried to do the right thing. I realized that for all the book's surface simplicity, it is very well written. I couldn't wait to read the next book--review to follow--which proved it was well worth staying with this series.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's love of the Azores islands shines through in this book, as it did in her previous book, which is likely to remain on my favorites' shelf forever. It's a very different book, however. A great, lighter mystery peopled with the fascinating and well-drawn characters she's known for. I'm giving it only four stars but still recommending it highly...because I've also read the following books in the series, and they just get better and better.

[Get Booked Fans]

Episode 140:
1. Hello! My husband and I will be traveling to the Azores in September 2018 and I would love to get my hands on a “page turner” that takes place on one of the islands. I love historical fiction, murder mysteries, contemporary fiction, and non fiction (as long as it reads like a novel). I’m good with 300-500 pages but I like to keep things moving so over 500 seems like homework to me. No issues with triggers. I love your podcast and can’t wait to hear what you come up with!
Thank you,
–Robin
Recommended by: Amanda