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Sharon McCone #33
The Breakers
New York Times bestselling author Marcia Muller is at her page-turning best in The Breakers, as she digs into a particularly disturbing corner of San Francisco's history--one that Sharon McCone may not escape alive.Sharon gets a request from her former neighbors the Curleys. Their usually dependable daughter, Chelle, hasn't answered their calls in over a week. Would Sharon check on her?Chelle, a house flipper, has been living at her latest rehab a Prohibition-era nightclub known as the Breakers, formerly a favored watering hole for San Francisco's elite, now converted into a run-down apartment building. There's something sinister about the quirky space, and Sharon quickly discovers why. Lurking in a secret room between two floors is a ghastly art photos and drawings of mass murderers, long ago and recent. Jack the Ripper. The Zodiac and Zebra killers. Charles Manson. What, an alarmed Sharon wonders, was Chelle doing in this chamber of horrors?And as Sharon begins to suspect that the ghoulish collage may be more than just a leftover relic of the Breakers' checkered history, her search for Chelle becomes a desperate race against the clock before a killer strikes again."[Marcia Muller's] stories crackle like few others on the mystery landscape." -- San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle"Muller undoubtedly remains one of today's best mystery writers." -- Associated Press
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2018
318 people are currently reading
1658 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Muller
165 books723 followersMarcia 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
October 3, 2018
This is the latest of the long-running Sharon McCone series set in San Francisco and featuring McCone and her now-husband Hy Rypinsky. In this outing, Sharon has been asked by former neighbors to look for their daughter Chelle, who has been rehabbing an old building in the “Outerlands” area of the city. Sharon initially investigates on her own before pulling in members of the agency to assist. It turns into a confusing case with trails leading in multiple directions.
I have been reading this series for many years now and I increasingly feel a sense of Muller slowly trying to decide whether to continue. Each of the past two books has ended with Sharon speculating as to whether it is approaching time to change her life, to end the investigations. This malaise or indecision seems to affect the book, or at least my reading of it. The pacing also feels odd though it follows the familiar format of timelines through the days. And I simply found it difficult to become engaged.
On the positive side, there are further developments within Sharon’s family and her work family which move along those stories which I have always found to be interesting side tales. I’m not sure if I will continue with the series or not. Only time will tell.
I have been reading this series for many years now and I increasingly feel a sense of Muller slowly trying to decide whether to continue. Each of the past two books has ended with Sharon speculating as to whether it is approaching time to change her life, to end the investigations. This malaise or indecision seems to affect the book, or at least my reading of it. The pacing also feels odd though it follows the familiar format of timelines through the days. And I simply found it difficult to become engaged.
On the positive side, there are further developments within Sharon’s family and her work family which move along those stories which I have always found to be interesting side tales. I’m not sure if I will continue with the series or not. Only time will tell.
August 19, 2018
A bit of a light-weight entry in this long running series. Muller is a good author and there was nothing 'wrong' with the book, but the mystery isn't very deep. The author has done better.
It was good to catch up with Sharon and all the gang and I'll be back for the next one, if only to touch base with Sharon.
It was good to catch up with Sharon and all the gang and I'll be back for the next one, if only to touch base with Sharon.
August 27, 2018
I've been reading the Sharon McCone series since they started and have always enjoyed them. The last two or three have been a bit of a let down. I enjoyed this one more than the last, but I felt the "mystery" of the story lacked a lot of the complexity of earlier novels. All the characters look interesting, but their coverage and roles feels superficial. Old loved characters make cameos that seem out of place. I somehow sadly have gotten the sense that the author just isn't interested in her character any more.
September 17, 2018
Muller is at her best when she takes her readers deep into the personal lives of the characters, and when she describes the character and quirks of San Francisco as an integral part of the novel. Suspense is all too often created by Ms. McCone's tendency to get herself into danger by ignoring all types of common sense, which is unfortunate, but in the best of this series, not a deal breaker.
This is not one of the best. A few important things happen in Sharon's life, but they are described in an off hand way that does not either further the characters' lives nor ring true.
I guessed the villain upon introduction, but you could argue I read too many mysteries with too critical an eye. This one is strictly for series fans, who will be disappointed but who will also keep reading. For everyone else, find a copy of The Broken Promise Land.
This is not one of the best. A few important things happen in Sharon's life, but they are described in an off hand way that does not either further the characters' lives nor ring true.
I guessed the villain upon introduction, but you could argue I read too many mysteries with too critical an eye. This one is strictly for series fans, who will be disappointed but who will also keep reading. For everyone else, find a copy of The Broken Promise Land.
August 21, 2018
My thanks to the Meridian Library for my copy. Sharon McCone is asked to look into the disappearance of Chelle Curley, her neighbor who care for cats when Sharon was out of town. As Sharon investigate she meets the lone tenant of the Breakers. The twists and turns of the book will have reading it one sitting. Sharon will find needs answers as more people disappear. What does the wall collage of serial killers have to do with people disappearing? Who is the Carver? Is he active again?
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
August 26, 2018
As a huge fan of Marcia Muller, I was, as usual, eagerly awaiting her 33rd entry into the Sharon McCone series, and this did not disappoint--in fact, it was one of the best among the last 10 titles.
As Len on Dancing With the Stars would say, "There was no muckin' about, just a pure mystery." And I agree.
From the first page, Muller sets up her trademark atmospheric location (this time coastal San Francisco) and immediately proceeds to put McCone right in the middle of a missing person investigation, and in this case, the missing young woman is a friend and former neighbor. The action never stops as Sharon methodically follows every lead she can find and pulls in members of her company's team to track whatever technological tricks they can use. And it ended the way a mystery should end, with the revelation of an unsuspected character (I did suspect a little but wasn't sure).
I hope Muller continues the adventures of Sharon McCone although I got a whiff of a possible end to the series, and all I can say is PLEASE CONTINUE SHARON'S CASES! They are especially needed with the demise of my other favorite mystery author, Sue Grafton.
As Len on Dancing With the Stars would say, "There was no muckin' about, just a pure mystery." And I agree.
From the first page, Muller sets up her trademark atmospheric location (this time coastal San Francisco) and immediately proceeds to put McCone right in the middle of a missing person investigation, and in this case, the missing young woman is a friend and former neighbor. The action never stops as Sharon methodically follows every lead she can find and pulls in members of her company's team to track whatever technological tricks they can use. And it ended the way a mystery should end, with the revelation of an unsuspected character (I did suspect a little but wasn't sure).
I hope Muller continues the adventures of Sharon McCone although I got a whiff of a possible end to the series, and all I can say is PLEASE CONTINUE SHARON'S CASES! They are especially needed with the demise of my other favorite mystery author, Sue Grafton.
September 3, 2018
From her genre-bursting Edwin of the Iron Shoes to this her latest Sharon McCone tale, Marcia Miller consistently authors strong well-written mysteries. While this isn't one of my top favorites of hers, it was still a worthwhile read, if only to catch up with everyone.
September 13, 2018
Thirty-three Sharon McCone Books and I still love this series. The focus is on Sharon, her insights on life, growing older, and a tautly paced missing person investigation interspersed with light cameos from several favorite characters.
September 16, 2018
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
The Sharon McCone series is a long running mystery series with The Breakers is number 33. I have read them all. It began in 1977. The books are set in current day so technology and other aspects have changed along with our world over the years. The mysteries are smart with many, well-defined characters. I loved seeing many of these familiar people from Sharon's family, friends and co-workers. Their personal lives are a part of the story as well. There is also plenty of suspense. I would read these in order due to the characters' development.
The recent books I've been enjoying on audio. They are shorter, about half the length of a regular book. I listened to The Breakers over one day and easily felt comfortable with Sharon's investigating and the wide array of her friends and family. Without the familiarity of the world and all the regulars I think I might have been lost. I had enough trouble just keeping all the people involved in the investigation(s) straight.
Sharon is trying to find Chelle, her old neighbor who has gone missing. Chelle has been rehabbing a building and as Sharon tries to track her down one of the tenants is murdered. I really enjoy the procedures of how Sharon gathers information which leads her to more contacts and information to solve her cases.
Narration:
I enjoyed Elizabeth Evans again at my usual 1.25x speed. She is the voice of the series and its characters. Most of the internal thoughts and dialogue involve Sharon and she is great with her, but also the rest of the voices are well done. She is easy to understand and infuses emotion into her performance.
Listen to a clip:https://soundcloud.com/hachetteaudio/...
The Sharon McCone series is a long running mystery series with The Breakers is number 33. I have read them all. It began in 1977. The books are set in current day so technology and other aspects have changed along with our world over the years. The mysteries are smart with many, well-defined characters. I loved seeing many of these familiar people from Sharon's family, friends and co-workers. Their personal lives are a part of the story as well. There is also plenty of suspense. I would read these in order due to the characters' development.
The recent books I've been enjoying on audio. They are shorter, about half the length of a regular book. I listened to The Breakers over one day and easily felt comfortable with Sharon's investigating and the wide array of her friends and family. Without the familiarity of the world and all the regulars I think I might have been lost. I had enough trouble just keeping all the people involved in the investigation(s) straight.
Sharon is trying to find Chelle, her old neighbor who has gone missing. Chelle has been rehabbing a building and as Sharon tries to track her down one of the tenants is murdered. I really enjoy the procedures of how Sharon gathers information which leads her to more contacts and information to solve her cases.
Narration:
I enjoyed Elizabeth Evans again at my usual 1.25x speed. She is the voice of the series and its characters. Most of the internal thoughts and dialogue involve Sharon and she is great with her, but also the rest of the voices are well done. She is easy to understand and infuses emotion into her performance.
Listen to a clip:https://soundcloud.com/hachetteaudio/...
August 21, 2018
A decent read but more shallow than I’ve come to expect.
Read
September 21, 2018A very curmudgeonly Sharon McCone retraces the steps of a missing friend in this mix of Flip or Flop, America's Most Wanted and The Americans.
May 27, 2019
Meh. Not worth the time to properly review or summarize.
August 22, 2018
3.5 stars. For those who love to read private eye books, Sharon McCone investigates a new case in The Breakers. Previous neighbors ask Sharon to check on their daughter Chelle because they haven't heard from her recently and that's not like her. Chelle renovates old buildings, camps out in them while she is working, and then sells them. Sharon starts her methodical search which, of course, turns up a dead body or two along the way.
I enjoyed the descriptions of San Francisco waterfront with drizzle, fog and wildfires in the distance. Muller always manages to work headlines into her stories, such as the California wildfires, the PTSD of one of the characters, and dementia. McCone does most of the investigative work herself in this one, although many of her office employees are mentioned and her large family plays into the story.
I enjoyed the descriptions of San Francisco waterfront with drizzle, fog and wildfires in the distance. Muller always manages to work headlines into her stories, such as the California wildfires, the PTSD of one of the characters, and dementia. McCone does most of the investigative work herself in this one, although many of her office employees are mentioned and her large family plays into the story.
August 26, 2018
3.5 stars.
Another solid police procedural with Sharon McCone. Sometimes I take for granted how long Marcia Muller has been writing this character but each book reminds me of how Sharon and her friends, family, co-workers have grown. I enjoy how today’s Sharon is so different from the Sharon 15 years ago. This is why Muller remains on my must reads list.
Another solid police procedural with Sharon McCone. Sometimes I take for granted how long Marcia Muller has been writing this character but each book reminds me of how Sharon and her friends, family, co-workers have grown. I enjoy how today’s Sharon is so different from the Sharon 15 years ago. This is why Muller remains on my must reads list.
August 18, 2018
I’ve been a fan since the beginning. While her latest book was good enough, I don’t feel it was as good as some of her earlier work. The puzzle was almost too easy to solve. Her protagonist, Sharon McCone, doesn’t feel like the tough loner she was in earlier books. I’d still recommend it for a fast, easy late summer read.
October 21, 2018
As a faithful reader of this series I am once again disappointed with the latest book. It seems to me that Ms. Muller has either lost interest in this series or is rapidly writing books of dubious quality for monetary gain.
September 20, 2018
Here's the link to my Mystery Scene review that appears in the Fall issue (#156) of the magazine - https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/compo...
December 13, 2018
The Breakers (Sharon McCone, #33) by Marcia Muller.
Sharon's neighbors daughter, Chelle, has gone missing. She's not answering her phone or her door. It's been days since she's been seen by anyone. Chelle is what's known as a house flipper. So Sharon starts to investigate the last known projects Chelle was involved with. That's when she comes across a room filled with ghastly paintings.
Years ago I started reading the Sharon McCone mysteries and loved them. This author would no sooner come out with a new story then I would be waiting with baited breathe to grab it off he shelves. The turning point came when the All-Souls social services burnt down. All-Souls was Sharon's work place, but it was so much more than that. It was the focal point of the characters Sharon worked with as well as her friends and confidents. It was an essential part of each story. That door was closed to the following stories with it's demise. The stories since then have never held my interest as they once did.
Sharon's neighbors daughter, Chelle, has gone missing. She's not answering her phone or her door. It's been days since she's been seen by anyone. Chelle is what's known as a house flipper. So Sharon starts to investigate the last known projects Chelle was involved with. That's when she comes across a room filled with ghastly paintings.
Years ago I started reading the Sharon McCone mysteries and loved them. This author would no sooner come out with a new story then I would be waiting with baited breathe to grab it off he shelves. The turning point came when the All-Souls social services burnt down. All-Souls was Sharon's work place, but it was so much more than that. It was the focal point of the characters Sharon worked with as well as her friends and confidents. It was an essential part of each story. That door was closed to the following stories with it's demise. The stories since then have never held my interest as they once did.
October 24, 2018
A bit slow in spots during an illness make this a 4/5 for me.
Sharon's concerned when she hasn't heard form 23 yr old Chelle Curley. Checking into Chelle's rehabbing of The Breakers Sharon finds a disturbing wall of old serial killer clippings behind a screen in the room Chelle has been sleeping in. When another tenant goes missing and two construction workers Chelle hired are giving Sharon uncomfortable feelings, Sharon & Hy and their team of investigators are busy doing background checks and surveillance.
Plot twists and a complicated investigation involving some strange characters make this a typicla Marcia Muller novel.
Sharon's concerned when she hasn't heard form 23 yr old Chelle Curley. Checking into Chelle's rehabbing of The Breakers Sharon finds a disturbing wall of old serial killer clippings behind a screen in the room Chelle has been sleeping in. When another tenant goes missing and two construction workers Chelle hired are giving Sharon uncomfortable feelings, Sharon & Hy and their team of investigators are busy doing background checks and surveillance.
Plot twists and a complicated investigation involving some strange characters make this a typicla Marcia Muller novel.
January 24, 2020
I have been reading this series since it’s inception many years ago (1990) consequently I hate reading a rehash of who the characters are and Sharon’s old cases. That took up way too many pages in this book. If you want to know all this superfluous information read the previous 32 books!
I haven’t read a Sharon McCone mystery for a few years, so it was like meeting up with old friends. As usual, I like the old ones better, but I’ll keep reading these anyway. I think it is her description of my old stomping grounds, San Francisco, that keeps me a loyal reader. I can hear the fog horns and smell the damp, salty sea air.
I haven’t read a Sharon McCone mystery for a few years, so it was like meeting up with old friends. As usual, I like the old ones better, but I’ll keep reading these anyway. I think it is her description of my old stomping grounds, San Francisco, that keeps me a loyal reader. I can hear the fog horns and smell the damp, salty sea air.
January 15, 2019
I am amazed at how well the Sharon McCone series has held up, but I am beginning to feel the author's weariness showing around the edges.
I found it somewhat disturbing that pour Shell has such a pivotal and risky role in this adventure. The plot is kinda thin and packed with side stories that are distracting more than anything else. Sharon has lost her edge sometimes and I am bummed to see so many important characters taking on peripheral or almost comic roles. I am also sad that our heroine is getting so intolerant in certain situations.
I found it somewhat disturbing that pour Shell has such a pivotal and risky role in this adventure. The plot is kinda thin and packed with side stories that are distracting more than anything else. Sharon has lost her edge sometimes and I am bummed to see so many important characters taking on peripheral or almost comic roles. I am also sad that our heroine is getting so intolerant in certain situations.
August 19, 2018
A new Sharon McCone mystery is an insta-buy for me. Our Sharon, who cares about so many people (so many hostages to fortune) has a special friend to help. Her brave, independent young former neighbor Chelle has disappeared. The house Chelle is fixing up has some doubtful inhabitants and a more doubtful past - involving serial killings. Now one of those inhabitants has been killed.
October 7, 2019
Good characters and story. First time I've read this author and will read more by her.
February 28, 2022
Such fun reading this and visiting the far west side of SF same day. Dined at Beach Chalet and wandered up to Sutro Baths, Lands End, etc. - just like our intrepid heroine Sharon McCone.
March 9, 2022
Sharin McCone is an interesting detective. I enjoyed the plot.
August 24, 2018
Interesting but not one of her best. Sharon seems to be getting a little tired and not putting as much effort into solving her cases.
November 7, 2018
still love this series and its' heroine. great story and great finish.
August 26, 2018
meh. not her best.
August 13, 2018
I’ve griped a bit about recent entries in Marcia Muller’s long-running Sharon McCone private-eye series—mainly the emphasis on the once-scrappy detective’s elevation to the one percent, complete with frequent references to her fancy downtown San Francisco office building, her Mercedes, and the “buttery leather furnishings” in her luxurious Marina District home. Plus, Sharon now has so many employees, friends and relations that you practically need a scorecard to keep track of them all.
Well, McCone fans rejoice, because "The Breakers" is the best novel in the series in years, a real back-to-basics private-eye story. As the book opens, a lot of the usual suspects—husband Hy, computer whiz Mick—are out of town, so Sharon has to do most of the investigating on her own, at least initially.
Regular readers will be familiar with Chelle, Sharon’s former next-door neighbor, cat-sitter and all-around enterprising young businesswoman. Now in her 20s, Chelle has purchased a derelict building called The Breakers in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset and is planning to rehab it. Her worried parents reach out to Sharon because they haven’t been able to get in touch with their daughter, who had moved into the run-down apartment complex while she worked on it.
Another resident of the building, Zach Kaplan, tells Sharon he has no idea where she is, either. When Zach takes her on a tour of The Breakers, McCone finds a horrifying tableau in Chelle’s room, hidden behind a decorative Japanese screen: a collage of newspaper clippings about notorious California killers, from Charles Manson to the Zodiac. The grim discovery adds to her feelings of dread about Chelle’s disappearance.
By coincidence, I had just visited the neighborhood where "The Breakers" is set a couple weeks before I read it; the novel takes place in August, and I enjoyed Muller’s vivid descriptions of the chilly San Francisco summer, with fog “so heavy that it felt almost like drizzly rain.” Gradually, McCone’s associates and loved ones reenter the picture and offer assistance with the investigation, but the focus is always on the detective herself, as diligent and determined as she was in her 1977 debut, "Edwin of the Iron Shoes."
Well, McCone fans rejoice, because "The Breakers" is the best novel in the series in years, a real back-to-basics private-eye story. As the book opens, a lot of the usual suspects—husband Hy, computer whiz Mick—are out of town, so Sharon has to do most of the investigating on her own, at least initially.
Regular readers will be familiar with Chelle, Sharon’s former next-door neighbor, cat-sitter and all-around enterprising young businesswoman. Now in her 20s, Chelle has purchased a derelict building called The Breakers in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset and is planning to rehab it. Her worried parents reach out to Sharon because they haven’t been able to get in touch with their daughter, who had moved into the run-down apartment complex while she worked on it.
Another resident of the building, Zach Kaplan, tells Sharon he has no idea where she is, either. When Zach takes her on a tour of The Breakers, McCone finds a horrifying tableau in Chelle’s room, hidden behind a decorative Japanese screen: a collage of newspaper clippings about notorious California killers, from Charles Manson to the Zodiac. The grim discovery adds to her feelings of dread about Chelle’s disappearance.
By coincidence, I had just visited the neighborhood where "The Breakers" is set a couple weeks before I read it; the novel takes place in August, and I enjoyed Muller’s vivid descriptions of the chilly San Francisco summer, with fog “so heavy that it felt almost like drizzly rain.” Gradually, McCone’s associates and loved ones reenter the picture and offer assistance with the investigation, but the focus is always on the detective herself, as diligent and determined as she was in her 1977 debut, "Edwin of the Iron Shoes."
December 30, 2023
I was really excited when I started this book because it felt very much like a throwback to earlier books in the series. Sharon's long-time (now former) neighbors, the Curleys haven't heard from their daughter in a week and they're worried. Once Sharon starts poking around Chelle's latest derelict building rehab job, so is she. A good, old-fashioned, missing person case. Sharon out there pounding the pavement and talking to all manner of local characters. And then it all starts to fall apart somewhere halfway. There's a revelation about Chelle's parents that had me snorting in derision, and Sharon was a lot slower on the uptake than this reader given that our "bad guy" is patently obvious well before the "shocking" reveal.
Still, I liked this a lot more than the last couple of entries, and Muller has finally wrapped up the recent business with Sharon's mother, which thank the Lord.
Still, I liked this a lot more than the last couple of entries, and Muller has finally wrapped up the recent business with Sharon's mother, which thank the Lord.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews