The Sea Glass Murders

by Timothy Cole

A headless corpse tossed in a dumpster unites a small-town cop and a formidable retired lady spy to track a killer in a wealthy New England neighborhood. A decapitated body burned to a crisp might be found in any dumpster in any city in America, but not in the aristocratic Gold Coast community of Westport, Connecticut. Local cop Tony DeFranco dutifully collects evidence, knowing that the State Police will take over the case. But when the state investigator tries to cover up the murder, DeFranco starts a rogue investigation. DeFranco forms an alliance with retired CIA case officer Dasha Petrov, whose elderly, ladylike appearance masks a lifetime’s experience with violence and deception. As the body count mounts, DeFranco relies on Dasha’s insights and skills acquired over decades of global troubleshooting to stop a killer operating at the pinnacle of American power. A glimpse at the sordid underside of position and wealth, The Sea Glass Murders is an action mystery with an immersive, fast-paced plot and unforgettable characters.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

326 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2020

About the author

This is the disambiguation profile for otherwise undifferentiated authors publishing as Timothy Cole. Tim is the chief content officer of Belvoir Media Group, publishers of monthly periodicals from major healthcare centers, including Harvard Medical School, The Cleveland Clinic, and Massachusetts General Hospital. In prior roles he served as an editor at leading marine magazines, and was the science/technology/aerospace editor of Popular Mechanics magazine. Tim’s editorial assignments have taken him aboard America’s nuclear Navy, to climate change studies at the South Pole, and to particle physics cyclotrons in Siberia. He is an instrument-rated private pilot, and holds a 50-ton captain’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard.  He just completed Cry for Lancer, which sends Dasha Petrov on a frantic hunt to stop the assassination of  President John F. Kennedy.  Other books in the Dasha Petrov series include Moscow Five,  a spy ring on the verge of exposure by her KGB nemesis; Relentless, a multi-continent race to stop ex-Nazis bent on creating the Fourth Reich; and Murder This Close, when Dasha Petrov becomes the bait for Mafia hitmen plying their trade on Connecticut's Gold Coast. Tim and his wife, Sarah Smedley, live in Greenwich, Connecticut and New York City.

Reviews

[Andrea InCoorparoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Americans! What's with the weird reverence for guns? Why the endless details about the weapons? Why does their handling of guns establish each character's worth?
Apart from the neverending gun obsession, an exciting story with a couple of good twists.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Westport, Connecticut, the setting for The Sea Glass Murders, is the town in which I live. In fact, a stone’s throw from the now-shuttered Crossroads Hardware. The familiar locations and landmarks were an added bonus, but even without that I would have still really enjoyed this fast-paced mystery/thriller. Lots of interesting plot twists, well written characters, and a very endearing surprise heroine make for a book that I recommend without hesitation. Looking forward to reading more of Timothy Cole’s Gold Coast series.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy through Goodreads.
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Don't be fooled into thinking this is another one of those mystery novels out there where a disillusioned cop partners up with someone outside of his field to solve a mystery, because it isn't. Throw in Dasha, and things are certainly much more interesting and unexpected. Dasha is a former spy and has a very colourful history (wow the stories she could tell), and of course don't count her sister Glannis out just yet (she might have had a stroke but she is very alert and sharp, I would love to hear more of her story along with Dasha!).

So anyways a horrific crime is committed and officer Tony is horrified something like this happened in this small community. The story leaves behind some breadcrumbs, sort of like a lot of dots that are just waiting to be connected, with good amount of character development of the main characters. Soon 1 murder turns into another.... what is happening? who is behind it? and how does it seem the killer is so close yet so far? There is decent amount of action throughout the book to keep you hooked and coming back for more.

And the climax. Wow. Hey, like I said before, Dasha certainly makes things much more interesting. Once a spy, always a spy.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought a great deal about this review. Ultimately, I finished the book. I also purchased the second book in the series and look forward to reading it. I was confused about the timeline the main character uses a revolver, which is more old school, but then modern tools are used like accurint which is an online database to look people up used by law enforcement and other professions. In addition, the terms, district attorney, and States Attorney are used interchangeably, and in Connecticut we only have States Attorney‘s. Also, the detail of when the main character gets his new firearm an armor is typically somebody who works at the police department is usually a sworn officer, not a civilian. Also, the OCME is located in Farmington and the entire state uses only that one office for autopsys. There is a private autopsy facility in Stamford but that would usually be for a private autopsy if the OCME declined the case and would have to be paid for by a family member. I started liking the book more on page 92 as the main character became very relatable. The ending was a little too nice for my liking. I started off giving this book four stars then went down to two stars and I’m willing to settle on three.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I am not an avid reader of murder mystery books, but this one featured a treasure trove of CT Gold Coast (mostly Westport) details with some colorful characters to maintain interest among the “usual suspects.” The chapters become shorter as the pace accelerates, so it was a page-turning cat and mouse game to the finish even though the reader learns whodunit earlier in the story. Overall, this is an entertaining beach/pool read or plane-ride read. I understand there are 2 more books in the series.

[Emily Pulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book from a Goodreads Giveaway. It has the feeling of your typical ex-military cop murder mystery but Timothy Cole's prose and the unconventional heroine of Dasha Petrov make this a really entertaining read. I particularly enjoyed how Cole laid out the details of the murder, like the crime scene and autopsy. It made me feel like I was part of the investigating team. I will be looking out for the sequel.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a Connecticut native like others who’ve read this book. I have never read anything by Timothy Cole so I took a chance. I’m glad I did.

On a personal note, I recently lost my Mother and we loved to collect sea glass since I was a little girl. That was another draw for me.

What a great trio, a great plot. Really enjoyed this book. Would’ve read it in one sitting if I could have.

Dasha Petrov reminded me of Dame Judi Dench. Couldn’t keep this out of my mind.

Thank you Timothy Cole

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of The Sea Glass Murders through a Goodreads Giveaway. A very enjoyable read. I could not put the book down. Very real and likable characters. Tony and Tracy teaming up was unconventional and when you add in Dasha things got every interesting. A very different story which I enjoyed immensely. Can’t wait for the sequel.

[Elizabeth C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fast paced read. Engaging plot. Well developed characters. Dialogue a reader's dream!

EC Johnson

[Kathi Ramsdell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is a great thriller and the characters are well-developed and interesting. I am glad there is a book 2!

[Dee Landman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this mystery with intriguing characters and a murder location of Westport CT . Fun read

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Lynn Whylly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Definitely kept me interested the whole way through. I didn't know what was going to happen next. A real page turner. I can't wait for the sequel!