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Sea Scope
Sarah Collins needs an escape. Mourning her brother’s death and the impending breakup of her marriage, she returns to her childhood home in South Carolina, where her family operated an inn.
Sarah hasn’t been back to Sea Scope for twenty years; not since she and her brother Glen discovered a body by the nearby lighthouse. She never understood why her parents left Sea Scope so suddenly, or the reasons behind her father's suicide.
After Sarah returns to the inn, she faces long-buried memories, text messages and strange clues. Something is not right in Sea Scope. Reunited with people from her past, she tries to figure out what's going on in her childhood home.
When past and present collide, Sarah must face truths about her family, and what happened that summer day by the lighthouse. But will she survive to tell the tale?
464 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2019
109 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Debbie De Louise
88 books598 followersDebbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters-in-Crime, and the Cat Writer’s Association. She has a BA in English and an MLS in Library Science from Long Island University. Her published novels include the 6 books of her Cobble Cove cozy mystery series: A Stone's Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Written in Stone, Love on the Rocks, No Gravestone Unturned, and Sneaky's Supernatural Mystery and Other Cobble Cove Stories, her paranormal romance, Cloudy Rainbow, her mystery thriller Reason to Die, her psychological mystery, Sea Scope, and her time-travel novel, Time's Relative. She also published a romantic comedy novella featuring a jewel heist caper, When Jack Trumps Ace and a cat poetry book, Meows and Purrs. Debbie also has a new series, the Buttercup Bend Mysteries, the first one of which is The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady. Debbie has also written articles and short stories for several anthologies of various genres. She lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 30, 2022
Sea Scope is the first book I've read by Debbie De Louise. It's a mystery / suspense / thriller novel with a bunch of light moments and several page-turning-gotta-find-the-killer moments. I enjoy books with a great balance, especially when the author also throws in fun facts about the history of lighthouses. I should also mention, a small portion of the book takes place on Long Island, not too far from where I grew up. Of course, I have to read it, right?
Let's pique your interest a little... someone died in a lighthouse ~20 years ago. All but one member of the family left town. An aunt stayed behind and recently reopened the lighthouse as a bed and breakfast. Before inviting paying guests, she convinces her family and a few friends, who'd been around at the time the man previously died, to visit for a few days again. Although that long-ago death had been ruled a suicide, the facts never quite lined up. A drunk mother. A dead father. A peculiar maid. Her estranged daughter. A recent accident. A marriage falling apart. Rekindled sparks. Another death. We're all too smart to believe in coincidences like those, so what really happened at Sea Scope ~20 years ago, and how is a dead guy leaving behind phone messages and cryptic notes with crayons, his calling card in his younger (and more alive) days?
At first, I was intrigued by the plot but it was a slow burn. We had hints of an unnatural death, but nothing concrete. We were being led to believe one thing about the victim only to learn many other peculiar things that didn't fit together (until later on). I started to really engage in the story at about 40% and couldn't put it down until the very end. I love when books creep at you for a bit before drop-kicking you into their clutches. From a character perspective, I found flaws and potential reasons why they'd all be responsible for the previous murder and the current shenanigans. No one was completely good in my eyes, even the primary character, Sarah, had some curious moments. I like when an author keeps the main players in a gray space.
From a plot perspective, De Louise took us places I hadn't expected. I knew two characters were 'involved' somehow, but when the chips completely fell, the alliances and ties and relationships were far deeper than I imagined. What a family! What an imagination! Kudos to De Louise for pushing the envelope a bit without going into specific details. We get a clear picture of the truth, but we also have a nice layer between us and the impacts it's left behind. It made for a great story with a ton of red herrings and a brilliant confrontation in the end. There were complex layers, which made some characters see one thing, and others see another thing. Who do you believe? Although we get an ending, it's the type of novel where you walk away thinking... I'm not sure the story ended there. What sorta tricks does this author have up her sleeve for the future!?!? I'd be thrilled with a follow-up, so no complaints here.
I'm glad I took a chance on a new author... and I look forward to more things to come from her future!
Let's pique your interest a little... someone died in a lighthouse ~20 years ago. All but one member of the family left town. An aunt stayed behind and recently reopened the lighthouse as a bed and breakfast. Before inviting paying guests, she convinces her family and a few friends, who'd been around at the time the man previously died, to visit for a few days again. Although that long-ago death had been ruled a suicide, the facts never quite lined up. A drunk mother. A dead father. A peculiar maid. Her estranged daughter. A recent accident. A marriage falling apart. Rekindled sparks. Another death. We're all too smart to believe in coincidences like those, so what really happened at Sea Scope ~20 years ago, and how is a dead guy leaving behind phone messages and cryptic notes with crayons, his calling card in his younger (and more alive) days?
At first, I was intrigued by the plot but it was a slow burn. We had hints of an unnatural death, but nothing concrete. We were being led to believe one thing about the victim only to learn many other peculiar things that didn't fit together (until later on). I started to really engage in the story at about 40% and couldn't put it down until the very end. I love when books creep at you for a bit before drop-kicking you into their clutches. From a character perspective, I found flaws and potential reasons why they'd all be responsible for the previous murder and the current shenanigans. No one was completely good in my eyes, even the primary character, Sarah, had some curious moments. I like when an author keeps the main players in a gray space.
From a plot perspective, De Louise took us places I hadn't expected. I knew two characters were 'involved' somehow, but when the chips completely fell, the alliances and ties and relationships were far deeper than I imagined. What a family! What an imagination! Kudos to De Louise for pushing the envelope a bit without going into specific details. We get a clear picture of the truth, but we also have a nice layer between us and the impacts it's left behind. It made for a great story with a ton of red herrings and a brilliant confrontation in the end. There were complex layers, which made some characters see one thing, and others see another thing. Who do you believe? Although we get an ending, it's the type of novel where you walk away thinking... I'm not sure the story ended there. What sorta tricks does this author have up her sleeve for the future!?!? I'd be thrilled with a follow-up, so no complaints here.
I'm glad I took a chance on a new author... and I look forward to more things to come from her future!
October 8, 2019
A compelling psychological thriller.
Every now and then I like to delve into a good mystery/thriller. Sea scope is a psychological thriller, the kind of book that gives one pause and makes one wonder how the mind works.
The book oscillates between present time and two decades earlier, slowly bringing the reader up to date with events that caused a business to close, a family to break, a girl to become mentally unstable, and the reasons behind it all. And they’re all connected to a murder that was ruled then as a suicide. The question throughout the book is whether Michael committed suicide – with all the bright opportunities he had ahead of him; or whether he was killed – but all the suspects on that day had an alibi, and seemed to actually like the guy. So which was it?
Alternating in between present and past are notes about lighthouses, real facts with references – a boost of information for the reader to store.
At first I was sure about what happened to Michael, but the author kept throwing new hints here and there, enough to shadow the truth and keep me guessing.
And then, about midway through, I was sure I had a suspect in mind. And yeah, I thought, no surprises here, but I couldn’t see the motive and so I went on, sure I had the right suspect.
I was wrong. So wrong, when the twist at the end came, I was left gaping.
The writing is suspenseful throughout the entire book, both in the present and in the past, with first person pov in the present and third in the past, and the distinction was done exceptionally well.
Have you ever had something happen to you as a kid, build your beliefs upon that event, only to realize as a grownup there were other sides to that story?
This was a great book with a great twist. I recommend!
Every now and then I like to delve into a good mystery/thriller. Sea scope is a psychological thriller, the kind of book that gives one pause and makes one wonder how the mind works.
The book oscillates between present time and two decades earlier, slowly bringing the reader up to date with events that caused a business to close, a family to break, a girl to become mentally unstable, and the reasons behind it all. And they’re all connected to a murder that was ruled then as a suicide. The question throughout the book is whether Michael committed suicide – with all the bright opportunities he had ahead of him; or whether he was killed – but all the suspects on that day had an alibi, and seemed to actually like the guy. So which was it?
Alternating in between present and past are notes about lighthouses, real facts with references – a boost of information for the reader to store.
At first I was sure about what happened to Michael, but the author kept throwing new hints here and there, enough to shadow the truth and keep me guessing.
And then, about midway through, I was sure I had a suspect in mind. And yeah, I thought, no surprises here, but I couldn’t see the motive and so I went on, sure I had the right suspect.
I was wrong. So wrong, when the twist at the end came, I was left gaping.
The writing is suspenseful throughout the entire book, both in the present and in the past, with first person pov in the present and third in the past, and the distinction was done exceptionally well.
Have you ever had something happen to you as a kid, build your beliefs upon that event, only to realize as a grownup there were other sides to that story?
This was a great book with a great twist. I recommend!
April 26, 2019
A suicide or is it? A murder mystery which took place twenty years ago is finally solved when the remaining members of the story meet again at Sea Scope, a boarding house near a lighthouse where one of the characters plunged to his death- or was he pushed? The story switches intermittently between the present day and twenty years ago until the reader is aware of all the situations, feelings and complications each character was enduring at that time. With each new snippet of information, the reader has to constantly reconsider who the murderer could possibly be while still wondering if the victim did actually commit suicide. All is eventually revealed in a nail-biting climax inside the lighthouse. Apart from the storyline, the book is packed full of facts and photos pertaining to lighthouses in general which, for me, added a quirky variant which was unexpected but appreciated. An easy read, which is most enjoyable.
May 14, 2022
Sarah Collins has been invited to Sea Scope, a place she has not seen in twenty years. The last time she was at Sea Scope was when she was a child, playing with her brother and other friends. Her Aunt Julie is planning to re-open the inn in the fall and wants Sarah to participate in a Dry Run before the formal opening There will also be other attendees, but Aunt Julie won't say who will be attending before Sarah gets there. To make matters worse, Sarah's marriage seems to be on the rocks. Rather than traveling alone, Sarah asks her friend, Carolyn Grant, to go with her. When they arrive, Sarah and Carolyn find that Russell Donovan, another childhood friend of Sarah's, is already there. Another guest scheduled to arrive later is Sarah's mother, Jennifer Brewster. Sarah's brother, Glen, had previously died in a motorcycle accident in California. The other friend from her childhood, Wendy, is unable to attend, according to her mother, Wanda.
En route to Sea Scope, Sarah receives a text message from Glen's phone. How is that possible? Once Sarah arrives at Sea Scope, she starts finding Crayon Notes, like Glen used to leave around. The notes are stirring up unpleasant memories, but who is behind them? Can Sarah save her marriage? Can she untangle the mysteries of the past to salvage her future?
Debbie De Louise has created an intriguing story where past and present come together on a collision course. She also incorporates information about lighthouses around the U.S. to add an interesting perspective to the story.
En route to Sea Scope, Sarah receives a text message from Glen's phone. How is that possible? Once Sarah arrives at Sea Scope, she starts finding Crayon Notes, like Glen used to leave around. The notes are stirring up unpleasant memories, but who is behind them? Can Sarah save her marriage? Can she untangle the mysteries of the past to salvage her future?
Debbie De Louise has created an intriguing story where past and present come together on a collision course. She also incorporates information about lighthouses around the U.S. to add an interesting perspective to the story.
January 8, 2020
A series of clues written in crayon, reminiscent of the games once played by a now-dead child, and the long unexplained circumstances surrounding the death of one of their number casts a shadow over the planned reunion of family and old friends in this mystery by author Debbie De Louise.
Twenty years ago, the bed and breakfast at Sea Scope, South Carolina was closed following the death of a guest who meant far more to some of the long-term residents there. In the present, Sarah, who was a child at the time, receives an invitation from her Aunt Julie, to return to the inn for a visit. Julie plans to reopen the inn and wants select family and friends to help her prepare for its grand reopening. As Julie gathers family and former staff members of Sea Scope, both Julie and Sarah receive messages pertaining to the events that led to a tragic summer twenty years in the past.
While the events of the present reveal those things long hidden, the past plays its part in the tale, too, as the reader is drawn into a haunting story with clues doled out one at a time. The author carefully weaves an enticing mystery by alternating chapters between past and present, so that events may unfold in the past through the child Sarah’s diary and recollections, assisted by revelations by other visitors and family members from the time.
In fact, the revelations continue right up until the last few pages, where the true nature of certain characters and the events leading to the death of Michael are finally unveiled. The switches between time settings are not confusing or detract from the appeal of the story at all, as the author also skillfully changes point of view, from third person in the past to first person in the present, with Sarah’s point of view.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book I was able to obtain through a recent Amazon promotion by the author. I love good mysteries, and this one has much to offer, from a good plot to appealing characters and a beautiful location. I would recommend this story to any lover of mysteries, and award it five stars for its originality and the quality of the mystery.
Twenty years ago, the bed and breakfast at Sea Scope, South Carolina was closed following the death of a guest who meant far more to some of the long-term residents there. In the present, Sarah, who was a child at the time, receives an invitation from her Aunt Julie, to return to the inn for a visit. Julie plans to reopen the inn and wants select family and friends to help her prepare for its grand reopening. As Julie gathers family and former staff members of Sea Scope, both Julie and Sarah receive messages pertaining to the events that led to a tragic summer twenty years in the past.
While the events of the present reveal those things long hidden, the past plays its part in the tale, too, as the reader is drawn into a haunting story with clues doled out one at a time. The author carefully weaves an enticing mystery by alternating chapters between past and present, so that events may unfold in the past through the child Sarah’s diary and recollections, assisted by revelations by other visitors and family members from the time.
In fact, the revelations continue right up until the last few pages, where the true nature of certain characters and the events leading to the death of Michael are finally unveiled. The switches between time settings are not confusing or detract from the appeal of the story at all, as the author also skillfully changes point of view, from third person in the past to first person in the present, with Sarah’s point of view.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book I was able to obtain through a recent Amazon promotion by the author. I love good mysteries, and this one has much to offer, from a good plot to appealing characters and a beautiful location. I would recommend this story to any lover of mysteries, and award it five stars for its originality and the quality of the mystery.
October 30, 2019
Sea Scope is a new mystery offering by author Debbie De-Louise. Having read good things about this psychological mystery, I looked forward to a good read and I wasn't disappointed. There are plenty of "false trails" and a red herring or two to keep the reader rapidly turning the pages; there's great characters and a satisfying surprise conclusion.
The main character Sarah is invited to celebrate the impending re-opening of Sea Scope Inn, by its proprietor- her beloved Aunt Julie Brewster. Along with Sarah, Julie has invited the guests that were on site during a memorable summer twenty years prior. Memorable, yes- but not just for the good memories. That was also the summer a hotel guest- Michael, plummeted to his death from the lighthouse under very suspicious circumstances. The other current guests include Carolyn- Sarah's closest friend, Sarah's mother, Wanda- the housekeeper during that ill-fated summer, and Russell- a close friend of Sarah's childhood. Along with some other minor personalities, it is a large cast of characters, but they are well developed for the story.
In the background, there's the saga of Sarah and her husband Derek's marital issues, Sarah's father's suicide, her mother's alcoholism and her brother Glen's fatal motorcycle accident. It's revealed that Wanda's daughter declined to come as she struggles with mental illness. Also, several old extramarital affairs are exposed- are they part of the horrors of the summer of old or the current mysteries at the inn?!
Strange messages start appearing from Glen (a joke in poor taste or a tease from the beyond?), Michael's suicide comes into question, as do the alibis once accepted at face value. Before all is revealed, it's apparent that everyone has something to hide- even the dead!
There's a lot going on in this story, but it flows smoothly and will keep you guessing until the end.A real page-turner and I recommend it!
The main character Sarah is invited to celebrate the impending re-opening of Sea Scope Inn, by its proprietor- her beloved Aunt Julie Brewster. Along with Sarah, Julie has invited the guests that were on site during a memorable summer twenty years prior. Memorable, yes- but not just for the good memories. That was also the summer a hotel guest- Michael, plummeted to his death from the lighthouse under very suspicious circumstances. The other current guests include Carolyn- Sarah's closest friend, Sarah's mother, Wanda- the housekeeper during that ill-fated summer, and Russell- a close friend of Sarah's childhood. Along with some other minor personalities, it is a large cast of characters, but they are well developed for the story.
In the background, there's the saga of Sarah and her husband Derek's marital issues, Sarah's father's suicide, her mother's alcoholism and her brother Glen's fatal motorcycle accident. It's revealed that Wanda's daughter declined to come as she struggles with mental illness. Also, several old extramarital affairs are exposed- are they part of the horrors of the summer of old or the current mysteries at the inn?!
Strange messages start appearing from Glen (a joke in poor taste or a tease from the beyond?), Michael's suicide comes into question, as do the alibis once accepted at face value. Before all is revealed, it's apparent that everyone has something to hide- even the dead!
There's a lot going on in this story, but it flows smoothly and will keep you guessing until the end.A real page-turner and I recommend it!
November 3, 2019
Sarah had known there was trouble in her marriage for a long time. Even before the devastation she faced on finding out her brother had died. It stemmed from the fact that, for some unknown reason, she and her husband were unable to conceive and he was not open to any alternative. When an invitation arrives from her aunt to visit her childhood home, Sea Scope, as a trial run before the grand reopening of the inn, she had her reservations. On one hand, she thought the break would do her marriage good, on the other, she had not returned to that place in twenty years, not since discovering the body of Michael, a resident and friend, at the foot of the light house. Even before reaching the inn, disturbing events beckoned her attention, a message from her dead brother's phone. It seems there is a truth to be discovered, and some secrets cannot stay buried forever.
Debbie De Louise's Sea Scope is a thrilling and gripping murder mystery which reflects on a murder which happened twenty years ago as new events at Sea Scope start to lead Sarah to uncover a truth that had once been buried. I really enjoyed the smoothly executed alteration between the present day, and events of twenty years ago. As the mystery unfolds so too does your understanding of the characters grow. Each character is complex, human, with their own flaws, realistic personalities, and challenges. I can honestly say I haven't enjoyed watching a mystery plot unfold like this for a long time, I could scarcely bear to put it down. The steady pace keeps you engaged while the characters drive the plot forward. Sea Scope has made it onto my exclusive recommended books list, which is reserved for books that, in my opinion, have that extra little something for readers. Secrets, mystery, betrayal, and discovery, along with excellent plot and character development make this a must-read book.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited
Debbie De Louise's Sea Scope is a thrilling and gripping murder mystery which reflects on a murder which happened twenty years ago as new events at Sea Scope start to lead Sarah to uncover a truth that had once been buried. I really enjoyed the smoothly executed alteration between the present day, and events of twenty years ago. As the mystery unfolds so too does your understanding of the characters grow. Each character is complex, human, with their own flaws, realistic personalities, and challenges. I can honestly say I haven't enjoyed watching a mystery plot unfold like this for a long time, I could scarcely bear to put it down. The steady pace keeps you engaged while the characters drive the plot forward. Sea Scope has made it onto my exclusive recommended books list, which is reserved for books that, in my opinion, have that extra little something for readers. Secrets, mystery, betrayal, and discovery, along with excellent plot and character development make this a must-read book.
I read this on Kindle Unlimited
June 21, 2019
This novel will have your head spinning while trying to figure out if Michael committed suicide or was murdered 20 years ago while in the Lighthouse near Sea Scope. Her Aunt still lives there and is thinking of re-opening the bed and breakfast to guests. But first she invited 5 people who there there at the time of the murder. Her niece Sarah agrees to go but goes with a friend instead of her husband-not really knowing what to expect, but needing a break from her home life. Sarah's Dad had commuted suicide-and it was Sarah's younger brother who found him. Sea Scope was shut down to guests soon after that and everyone went in different directions. Sarah's Mom, the housekeeper and a friend of the children was also there.
This story goes from present to past and back again--separated by Lighthouse history compiled by Michael for his thesis.
I became intrigued by this story from the beginning--When the entire sordid mess is finally revealed and the culprit who has been leaving crayon notes in various places is finally found---will Sarah and her Mom pay the ultimate price? Will the secret that Sarah has been keeping from her husband heal their marriage--
The dysfunction of this family goes back generations--Secrets was the name of the game--will the truth set them free?
This story goes from present to past and back again--separated by Lighthouse history compiled by Michael for his thesis.
I became intrigued by this story from the beginning--When the entire sordid mess is finally revealed and the culprit who has been leaving crayon notes in various places is finally found---will Sarah and her Mom pay the ultimate price? Will the secret that Sarah has been keeping from her husband heal their marriage--
The dysfunction of this family goes back generations--Secrets was the name of the game--will the truth set them free?
June 3, 2019
This is a good story, with good characters, with good writing technique. The characters have flesh, are not just words on a page as you read the Juxtapositioning of time and space about the same people. There are twists and turns which surprise and please, and there are moments of indecision, even for another writer of mysteries, as to where the story is going. There are also illustrations between every chapter. I loved the book. I hated the illustrations. Creativia told me, when I suggested illustrations in one of my westerns, it was not a good idea. They were right. The illustrations interrupted the flow of the story, added nothing to it, and served only to distract me. I give the book a five star rating grudgingly. I only do so because I really enjoyed the story. I wish it had not been so difficult to wade through the extraneous part of the book.
June 18, 2020
4.5 stars. More in my next Good Reads blog at www.sandiwallace.com/blog/.
July 2, 2019
More twists and turns than a lighthouse staircase
A great read, as the reader is whisked back and forth between the events of twenty years ago and the present. A hidden secret surronds the death of a young man, his body found, broken and bleeding on the ground below a lighthouse that seems to be the focal point for all that transpires in this intriguing mystery, that isn't cleared up until the very end of the book. Suspicions abound, marital affairs suspected, and relationships are tested to the full in this superb tale that will have you, like me, eagerly turning pages in search of the solution to the many questions raised in this tale of death, deception and raw grief unleashed. Five big stars from me.
A great read, as the reader is whisked back and forth between the events of twenty years ago and the present. A hidden secret surronds the death of a young man, his body found, broken and bleeding on the ground below a lighthouse that seems to be the focal point for all that transpires in this intriguing mystery, that isn't cleared up until the very end of the book. Suspicions abound, marital affairs suspected, and relationships are tested to the full in this superb tale that will have you, like me, eagerly turning pages in search of the solution to the many questions raised in this tale of death, deception and raw grief unleashed. Five big stars from me.
September 22, 2019
An excellent thriller
I really, really liked the structure of this story: the different time-lines, the little asides with fun facts about lighthouses... it worked perfectly for me.
I enjoyed the way the story develops, how our perceptions about the characters keep changing as we learn more about them, how things that seemed to be facts weren't.
The narration by Robin Brodowsky is good, easy to follow, but it's a bit plain, lacking emotional play.
I really, really liked the structure of this story: the different time-lines, the little asides with fun facts about lighthouses... it worked perfectly for me.
I enjoyed the way the story develops, how our perceptions about the characters keep changing as we learn more about them, how things that seemed to be facts weren't.
The narration by Robin Brodowsky is good, easy to follow, but it's a bit plain, lacking emotional play.
May 17, 2019
I absolutely loved this mystery by cat writer & cozy mystery author Debbie De Louise! 5 Stars! With so much content between the story and characters, Ms. De Louise knows how to dole out the plot to keep the reader reading. Along with the puzzle piece mystery and various facts about lighthouses at the end of each chapter, one really gets the feel of summers by the sea.
June 25, 2019
Sea Scope (2019) by Debbie De Louise is a suspenseful thriller which keeps readers turning the page.
The plot follows the main character Sarah Collins. Readers follow her journey as she goes back to Sea Scope accompanied by her friend Carolyn after twenty years of escaping her past there. Twenty years previously a young man Michael Gamboski died in suspicious circumstances at the lighthouse. At the time his death was pronounced a suicide but was it? Sarah is also mourning the passing of her brother Glen who was killed in a motorcycle accident which may or may not have been an accident. Added to all this, she is also trying to keep her marriage to her husband Derek on track despite the strain of not becoming parents and her fears that he is having an affair. Sarah’s aunt Julie is now running the lighthouse and she is secretly hoping that Sarah will come back to take the helm. Aunt Julie invites Sarah’s mother, her childhood pal Russell and employee and friend Wanda to join Sarah, Carolyn and herself. There is a very Agatha Christie vibe to the book. A claustrophobic space where numerous guests/potential suspects are all gathered. And there are secrets left, right and centre.
There is also some interesting lighthouse trivia scattered throughout the novel. This is cleverly woven in as student Michael Gamboski’s research which means it doesn’t feel out of place in the middle of the book. I think the plot is gorgeously put together and the idea of the texts sent to Sarah’s phone from her deceased younger brother’s phone was a great idea as were the crayon clues imitating Glen’s childhood game of giving clues to items he had hidden. The flashbacks were used in just the right places too. We get excellent backstory about Sarah and each of the major characters in the plot which really adds to the dynamics of the plot and helps absorb the reader more in the story.
Sarah’s flaws are used perfectly in the plot in order to heighten the mystery element. We are introduced early on to her snobby side when she fears that the bathrooms in McDonalds will not be clean and this serves well later in the plot when she becomes briefly convinced that Wanda, possibly because she is the employee, has to be the killer or at least be the one leaving the clues. This is shared by most, if not all to some extent, of the people staying currently at Sea Scope. This classism is used very cleverly to reflect away from many of the secrets of others involved by the author. Sarah’s tendency to jump to conclusions also shown in her instant feelings without proof that because someone with a feminine voice answered the phone at her house her husband was automatically having an affair. Another very cleverly woven in detail that left Sarah jumping to conclusions about the case and leaving the readers wondering which were red herrings and which were true?
My favourite character was Glen. I found he had a lot of humour to him and the contrast between him being the slightly annoying but adorable little brother and Sarah’s sensible, protective older sister nature really worked very well in the story. I could be wrong on this but from my reading of the story, the family struck me as middle-class and I kind of liked how unaffected he was by his background. He seemed very down-to-earth and had no problems living in a working-class area to further his work. His dialogue was very ordinary to and straight to the point. Maybe it was because I’m a working-class woman that I really liked that and took to him very easily. There was no pretentious air to him which was nice. And I kind of liked that he stated his opinions when he was younger on his lack of interest in history despite Russell being a bit of a know-it-all with a slightly superior attitude.
I like how the author wove the plot together without it being did in a contrived way. Everything added up by the end. Certain things with the husband were a little predictable but in terms of the main element which was the mystery side of things De Louise did a smashing job. And mystery writing is one of the most difficult genres of writing. There is so many things to remembers with suspects, their alibis and so much more before a writer even gets to tying the plot up in a believable way for their readers. De Louise did a great job with that. The suspense is also beautifully paced and by the final few chapters you are definitely immensely intrigued as to who is behind all this. I had a few people in mind for the killer/killers and I was wrong so that’s also a bonus plus point of this thriller.
A really gripping read full of mystery and intrigue.
The plot follows the main character Sarah Collins. Readers follow her journey as she goes back to Sea Scope accompanied by her friend Carolyn after twenty years of escaping her past there. Twenty years previously a young man Michael Gamboski died in suspicious circumstances at the lighthouse. At the time his death was pronounced a suicide but was it? Sarah is also mourning the passing of her brother Glen who was killed in a motorcycle accident which may or may not have been an accident. Added to all this, she is also trying to keep her marriage to her husband Derek on track despite the strain of not becoming parents and her fears that he is having an affair. Sarah’s aunt Julie is now running the lighthouse and she is secretly hoping that Sarah will come back to take the helm. Aunt Julie invites Sarah’s mother, her childhood pal Russell and employee and friend Wanda to join Sarah, Carolyn and herself. There is a very Agatha Christie vibe to the book. A claustrophobic space where numerous guests/potential suspects are all gathered. And there are secrets left, right and centre.
There is also some interesting lighthouse trivia scattered throughout the novel. This is cleverly woven in as student Michael Gamboski’s research which means it doesn’t feel out of place in the middle of the book. I think the plot is gorgeously put together and the idea of the texts sent to Sarah’s phone from her deceased younger brother’s phone was a great idea as were the crayon clues imitating Glen’s childhood game of giving clues to items he had hidden. The flashbacks were used in just the right places too. We get excellent backstory about Sarah and each of the major characters in the plot which really adds to the dynamics of the plot and helps absorb the reader more in the story.
Sarah’s flaws are used perfectly in the plot in order to heighten the mystery element. We are introduced early on to her snobby side when she fears that the bathrooms in McDonalds will not be clean and this serves well later in the plot when she becomes briefly convinced that Wanda, possibly because she is the employee, has to be the killer or at least be the one leaving the clues. This is shared by most, if not all to some extent, of the people staying currently at Sea Scope. This classism is used very cleverly to reflect away from many of the secrets of others involved by the author. Sarah’s tendency to jump to conclusions also shown in her instant feelings without proof that because someone with a feminine voice answered the phone at her house her husband was automatically having an affair. Another very cleverly woven in detail that left Sarah jumping to conclusions about the case and leaving the readers wondering which were red herrings and which were true?
My favourite character was Glen. I found he had a lot of humour to him and the contrast between him being the slightly annoying but adorable little brother and Sarah’s sensible, protective older sister nature really worked very well in the story. I could be wrong on this but from my reading of the story, the family struck me as middle-class and I kind of liked how unaffected he was by his background. He seemed very down-to-earth and had no problems living in a working-class area to further his work. His dialogue was very ordinary to and straight to the point. Maybe it was because I’m a working-class woman that I really liked that and took to him very easily. There was no pretentious air to him which was nice. And I kind of liked that he stated his opinions when he was younger on his lack of interest in history despite Russell being a bit of a know-it-all with a slightly superior attitude.
I like how the author wove the plot together without it being did in a contrived way. Everything added up by the end. Certain things with the husband were a little predictable but in terms of the main element which was the mystery side of things De Louise did a smashing job. And mystery writing is one of the most difficult genres of writing. There is so many things to remembers with suspects, their alibis and so much more before a writer even gets to tying the plot up in a believable way for their readers. De Louise did a great job with that. The suspense is also beautifully paced and by the final few chapters you are definitely immensely intrigued as to who is behind all this. I had a few people in mind for the killer/killers and I was wrong so that’s also a bonus plus point of this thriller.
A really gripping read full of mystery and intrigue.
February 4, 2020
Overview: Memories of a dead body found at a childhood vacation spot two decades ago, her father’s recent suicide, current marital issues, and new messages popping up from her dead brother cause Sarah to question if there was more going on at her family’s beach bed and breakfast than what was first thought.
Author Debbie De Louise leads readers on a riveting emotional rollercoaster in her cozy mystery, “Sea Scope”. This seemingly sweet tale infused with pleasant memories of a particular summer spent at the Brewster family’s inn contrasts with an alleged suicide that becomes the focal point of the main character’s return to the scene. As Sarah accepts her aunt’s invitation to visit for the summer, current marital issues weigh her down even as she experiences flashbacks to several traumas associated with her stay at the homey beachside inn twenty years ago.
Well written and highly engaging, “Sea Scope” provides a sense of fascination and awe as this story takes these characters from childhood innocence to the realization that the world isn’t all puppy dogs and sunshine. Over that fateful summer, Sarah and her brother, Glen, learn about the birds and the bees, how to spy on cheating couples, discover mysteries and intimate secrets about the inn’s guests, find out their parent’s marriage may not be perfect, and experience the trauma of suicide. It’s a hard-hitting, coming-of-age tale that impacts each sibling’s life well into adulthood.
This mystery is a suspenseful and chilling read, and it continues to remain captivating throughout. The reader is prompted forward by delightful childhood memories set against a backdrop of serious adult issues. There is one problem that sticks out in the writing of this story, in that the author often chooses to use surnames (Mr. Gambowski, Ms. Wilson, etc.) rather than first names to identify the characters in her tale, perhaps to reflect back to a time when a more formal tone was used in conversation. The practice of using just the characters’ surnames in certain portions of this novel causes a great deal of confusion and muddles the plotline since most of the characters in this story are of the same family (Brewster) and carry the same last name.
With photos and notations about East Coast lighthouses interspersed between chapters, De Louise educates readers on their history even as she brings a sense of charm, tradition, and nautical ambiance to her story. “Sea Scope” is an absorbing, well-paced, and shocking cozy mystery that gets better and better as the plotline develops. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good mystery for ages 17 and up.
Note: “Sea Scope” does contain adult sexual situations, including a scene that may act as a trigger for survivors of sexual abuse and/or assault.
Author Debbie De Louise leads readers on a riveting emotional rollercoaster in her cozy mystery, “Sea Scope”. This seemingly sweet tale infused with pleasant memories of a particular summer spent at the Brewster family’s inn contrasts with an alleged suicide that becomes the focal point of the main character’s return to the scene. As Sarah accepts her aunt’s invitation to visit for the summer, current marital issues weigh her down even as she experiences flashbacks to several traumas associated with her stay at the homey beachside inn twenty years ago.
Well written and highly engaging, “Sea Scope” provides a sense of fascination and awe as this story takes these characters from childhood innocence to the realization that the world isn’t all puppy dogs and sunshine. Over that fateful summer, Sarah and her brother, Glen, learn about the birds and the bees, how to spy on cheating couples, discover mysteries and intimate secrets about the inn’s guests, find out their parent’s marriage may not be perfect, and experience the trauma of suicide. It’s a hard-hitting, coming-of-age tale that impacts each sibling’s life well into adulthood.
This mystery is a suspenseful and chilling read, and it continues to remain captivating throughout. The reader is prompted forward by delightful childhood memories set against a backdrop of serious adult issues. There is one problem that sticks out in the writing of this story, in that the author often chooses to use surnames (Mr. Gambowski, Ms. Wilson, etc.) rather than first names to identify the characters in her tale, perhaps to reflect back to a time when a more formal tone was used in conversation. The practice of using just the characters’ surnames in certain portions of this novel causes a great deal of confusion and muddles the plotline since most of the characters in this story are of the same family (Brewster) and carry the same last name.
With photos and notations about East Coast lighthouses interspersed between chapters, De Louise educates readers on their history even as she brings a sense of charm, tradition, and nautical ambiance to her story. “Sea Scope” is an absorbing, well-paced, and shocking cozy mystery that gets better and better as the plotline develops. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good mystery for ages 17 and up.
Note: “Sea Scope” does contain adult sexual situations, including a scene that may act as a trigger for survivors of sexual abuse and/or assault.
October 28, 2019
The review for today is “Seascope” by Debbie De Louise.
Meet our main character, Sarah Collins, who is struggling in her marriage. Still grieving over her brother’s death she needs a break. Her aunt, who runs the Sea Scope inn that is located in South Carolina, has written her in hopes of her niece coming for a visit. Sarah readily accepts. Instead however of taking her husband she takes a friend.
It has been 20 years since she has visited. The last time she was there her brother and herself were children while her parent’s marriage was failing. But let’s not forget the death of their friend, Michael, who apparently committed suicide.
Once at the inn Sarah finds out her aunt has invited a few other familiar faces from the past bringing up memories she might not want to rekindle one just being why her father committed suicide as well. Strange notes and text message are appearing that wants Sarah to believe comes from her now dead brother.
As time goes by people start to wonder if Michael really did commit suicide after all and if it was instead murder.
My thoughts:
This book every so often goes back in time 20 years to be exact, so the reader gets information on what happened. The way the author goes back and forth was done well and one doesn’t get lost.
I was curious what happened to Michael and the classic who done it. The characters were development nicely and the pace and flow made the reading effortlessly as I wanted to know how this book ended.
July 19, 2020
Sea Scope masterfully mixes the diverse storylines from the past and the present to draw the reader into the mysterious deaths of three individuals; father, son, and a guest of a hotel adjacent to a South Carolina lighthouse off the fictions Cape Bretton shores. Sarah Brewster’s struggling relationship with her surviving mother and distant husband frame the backdrop to her return to her childhood home as she and four others return to the scene of the first death as a celebration of the reopening of the hotel, only to wonder whether the apparent suicidal death of a former guest was truly that or something sinister.
At the beginning of the novel, the present day chapters bring life the turmoil while the past chapter explain the backstory of three childhood friends who are devastated by the deaths. Personally, I favored the present day chapters because they exploded with character development but as the book enfolded the past chapters became more and more interesting making it harder to put down. There are lots of unexpected twists and turns that make the ending more complicated than originally anticipated.
I recommend this psychological thriller and wonder what is in store for future hotel guests.
At the beginning of the novel, the present day chapters bring life the turmoil while the past chapter explain the backstory of three childhood friends who are devastated by the deaths. Personally, I favored the present day chapters because they exploded with character development but as the book enfolded the past chapters became more and more interesting making it harder to put down. There are lots of unexpected twists and turns that make the ending more complicated than originally anticipated.
I recommend this psychological thriller and wonder what is in store for future hotel guests.
September 7, 2019
Gripping and compelling
Did Michael commit suicide or was he murdered? Why did Sarah’s family leave South Carolina so abruptly after his death and why did her father commit suicide a year later? Still mourning the loss of her brother and facing the possible breakup of her marriage, Sarah accepts an invitation to return to Sea Scope, the family inn which closed after Sarah and her brother, Glen discovered Michael’s body at the nearby lighthouse. Her aunt is planning to reopen the inn and invites five people who were there at the time of the tragedy 20 years ago. What really happened to Michael and who is responsible for the notes replicating Glen’s childhood crayon clues which are suddenly appearing? Going back and forth between the events of 20 years ago and the present, Ms. De Louise weaves together two gripping and compelling mysteries. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it at one in the morning.
Did Michael commit suicide or was he murdered? Why did Sarah’s family leave South Carolina so abruptly after his death and why did her father commit suicide a year later? Still mourning the loss of her brother and facing the possible breakup of her marriage, Sarah accepts an invitation to return to Sea Scope, the family inn which closed after Sarah and her brother, Glen discovered Michael’s body at the nearby lighthouse. Her aunt is planning to reopen the inn and invites five people who were there at the time of the tragedy 20 years ago. What really happened to Michael and who is responsible for the notes replicating Glen’s childhood crayon clues which are suddenly appearing? Going back and forth between the events of 20 years ago and the present, Ms. De Louise weaves together two gripping and compelling mysteries. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it at one in the morning.
June 22, 2019
AN AWESOME, AWESOME READ!!
A Non-stop read!! I do believe, that I actually have read this book before. I remembered bits and pieces. BUT, it was just as an exciting read, the second time around.
An old Lighthouse, with a beautiful, old Inn near by. The sister of the original owner, is now in charge of running it and invites friends and family to the reopening of it.
The story goes back and forth between 20 years ago and the current time. Mysteries of the past, come back to be acknowledged and resolved.
Very cool knowledge about Lighthouses, their origins are included at end of chapters.
A Non-stop read!! I do believe, that I actually have read this book before. I remembered bits and pieces. BUT, it was just as an exciting read, the second time around.
An old Lighthouse, with a beautiful, old Inn near by. The sister of the original owner, is now in charge of running it and invites friends and family to the reopening of it.
The story goes back and forth between 20 years ago and the current time. Mysteries of the past, come back to be acknowledged and resolved.
Very cool knowledge about Lighthouses, their origins are included at end of chapters.
May 17, 2021
This is a story full of intrigue & complex characters, shifting back & forth over twenty years between a present day reunion & a tragic event that happened twenty years before. The author keeps the mystery under wraps until the last few chapters, adding to the intrigue that builds as you learn about each of the key witnesses to that fateful day when a lifeless body was found beside the lighthouse. There’s a lot of backstory, which is both relevant & interesting, although the historical information about lighthouses at the end of some chapters detracted from the flow.
June 23, 2019
A terrific summer page turner!
Lose yourself in this book this summer, set in a South Carolina inn that just happens to have a lighthouse next door. This well-written suspense will keep you up til the wee hours of indulging in a delectable cover-to-cover binge read. Tasty tidbits of knowledge will delight you as intrigue sets in with a fascinating cast of characters, a surprising conclusion and a great payoff.
Lose yourself in this book this summer, set in a South Carolina inn that just happens to have a lighthouse next door. This well-written suspense will keep you up til the wee hours of indulging in a delectable cover-to-cover binge read. Tasty tidbits of knowledge will delight you as intrigue sets in with a fascinating cast of characters, a surprising conclusion and a great payoff.
July 5, 2019
Ms. De Louise has crafted a compelling novel filled with suspense, murder, romantic entanglements, and lighthouse trivia. I was captivated from the start and stayed up two nights to finish reading this gripping page-turner set on an island off the coast of South Carolina. I was particularly impressed by the alternating POVs and time periods, plot twists, and the unexpected ending.
I’m looking forward to reading more book by Ms. De Louise.
I’m looking forward to reading more book by Ms. De Louise.
May 8, 2020
"Sea Scope" is a really well-rounded and tangled mystery that was a joy to read. The characters are realistic, with some likeable, some not, and some that are misunderstood. The plot is addictive and very satisfying. I love the way Debbie De Louise writes (warm and welcoming and not willing to let you put the story down for too long!), and I hope to read more of her work in the future.
My thanks to the author for a free copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author for a free copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
August 1, 2019
I started reading Debbie De Louise's books because she is a local author and fellow librarian, but I kept on reading them because they were so good. The characters and setting are great, with good writing. The ending was a cliff hanger and a lot was left open, so I hope she writes another book and makes Sea Scope a series. Keep on writing Debbie!
July 9, 2019
Great book
I liked the mystery of the book. I usually don’t like a story that goes back and forth I years, but this story did it smoothly. Good characters made interesting. The surprise at the end was good. Anyone who likes mystery’s will enjoy this book.
I liked the mystery of the book. I usually don’t like a story that goes back and forth I years, but this story did it smoothly. Good characters made interesting. The surprise at the end was good. Anyone who likes mystery’s will enjoy this book.
December 24, 2019
Tangled web mystery
An interesting tangled web full of hope and heartache. So many complete characters with their own set of goals come together to create a quite entangled family story. Enjoyable
An interesting tangled web full of hope and heartache. So many complete characters with their own set of goals come together to create a quite entangled family story. Enjoyable
January 2, 2020
A Twisty Adult Mystery
I love a mystery that keeps me guessing. This fills the bill. I also like the serious themes . Generations share their demons. It makes you consider what will you pass on?
I love a mystery that keeps me guessing. This fills the bill. I also like the serious themes . Generations share their demons. It makes you consider what will you pass on?
August 3, 2021
I really liked this book. I read it in one setting after getting out of work at 7pm. I have read all of the Cobble Cove books and decided to try this book next. I am sure glad I did. It kept me guessing as to wheather Mike was murdered or not, and who did it. You won't regret reading this book.
Want to read
June 18, 2019TheFussyLibrarian
June 29, 2019
Secrets come out
Four children had many happy memories of their early years spent at the lighthouse but some of the memories weren't pleasant
Four children had many happy memories of their early years spent at the lighthouse but some of the memories weren't pleasant
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