Without a Grave

Hannah Ives Mystery #8

by Marcia Talley

This book presents the new Hannah Ives mystery. Hannah's in paradise, enjoying the active, back-to-basics rhythms of Bahamian island life. When controversy arises over the construction of a luxury resort that could devastate the coral reef, Hannah dives in. Acts of vandalism, a deadly wildfire, a missing scientist - Hannah suspects a connection, but her investigation stalls when Hurricane Helen slams into the island. Before the skies clear, a dynasty is threatened by a venomous sibling rivalry, environmentalists face-off against progressive island fathers, and somebody else will die. Gin-clear waters, sand so white you're blinded by the glare, palms rustling in a tropical breeze. Paradise? Sometimes it's just an illusion...

Genres: Mystery

211 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Marcia Talley is the Agatha and Anthony award-winning author of DEAD MAN DANCING and six previous mysteries featuring amateur sleuth, Hannah Ives who, like the author, is a breast cancer survivor.

Marcia is author/editor of two star-studded collaborative novels, NAKED CAME THE PHOENIX and ID KILL FOR THAT set in a fashionable health spa and an exclusive gated community, respectively. Her short stories appear in more than a dozen collections including With Love, Marjorie Ann and Safety First, both Agatha award nominees, and the multi-award-winning Too Many Cooks, a humorous retelling of Shakespeares Macbeth from the viewpoint of the three witches. A recent story, Driven to Distraction won the Agatha Award, was nominated for an Anthony, and was reprinted in THE DANGEROUS BRIDE AND 21 OF THE YEARS FINEST CRIME AND MYSTERY STORIES.

Marcia is immediate past president of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime, serves as Secretary for Sisters in Crime National, and is on the board of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. She divides her time between Annapolis, Maryland and an antique sailboat in the Bahamas.
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Reviews

[Leslie (updates on SG) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay read for my Book Riot Read Harder (cozy mystery) and AtW (Bahamas) challenges. Having visited the Abaco Islands, I admired how well Talley captured island life. The story, however, was unengaging and the ending unsatisfactory.

[Ellie Oberth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful setting - island life

[Victoria Allman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having spent a lot of time in the Bahamas, I was thoroughly impressed with how well Marcia Talley captures the feel of the islands and her people. It is clear in reading Without a Grave that Talley has spent a lot of time researching her mystery set in the Abacos.

What starts off as an introduction to the islands quickly turns into a well laid-out mystery of strange goings-on at the islands luxury resort, The Tamarind Tree. With Hurricane Helen threatening to make landfall at any moment, Hanna Ives, cancer survivor, dives into the murky waters of environmental negligence, family squabbles, and possible murder.

Hannah is a spunky, likable character that I enjoyed getting to know and will look forward to reading more about.

Talley's knowledge of both the water and the islands makes this mystery an enjoyable guidebook to the Bahamas, as well--just avoid the dead bodies that seem to always surface in paradise.

Victoria Allman
author of: SEAsoned: A Chef's Journey with Her Captain

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy Marcia Talley's books. She has a smooth style. However in this book Hannah Ives doesn't do much impressive other than running around being helpful while on vacation. The events happen around her, leaving bodies in their wake. I enjoy hearing about the Bahamas, but other than that, not much depth in the story.

[Eadie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cozy mystery that was a fast, easy, interesting read. Marcia Talley captured the feel of the Bahamas and it's inhabitants. The book was very entertaining until the hurricane hit and things got a little edgy. The plot was very well laid out and the characters seemed real. I would recommend this for those who like cozies or just a quick exciting read.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, apparently there are more of these. I don't think I'll be reading them. However, if you want to know about the islands in the Bahamas and/or care about sailing maybe this book is for you. The story didn't even get started until more than halfway through the book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the latest in the Hannah Ives series-this is a local writer-in the Annapolis area-and therefore the books are especially entertaining --so much of the local culture presented.. Well written

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one, it was set in the Bahama's and I really could see the gorgeous scenery. Wish I was there :)

[Steve Smoot]

love the setting. Not a lot of mystery to the mystery.