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Sharon McCone #7
Eye of the Storm
Appleby Island, once the magnificent home of a tycoon and planter, is a place of history and mystery in the Sacramento delta. Its story includes hints of tragedy, fueling rumors that ghosts still walk its derelict orchards. Now Patsy McCone, her new lover, and a group of investors are turning the old mansion into an elegant bed and breakfast inn. Summoned by her eccentric younger sister, San Francisco's #1 P.I. Sharon McCone arrives in the teeth of a gale, taking a busman's holiday to investigate mysterious acts of vandalism that are running the project to ruin. But when simple sabotage escalates to savage murder, she finds herself trapped on the island with a desperate killer -- and flung into a raging storm of treachery, violence, and sudden death.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
109 people are currently reading
326 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 83 reviews
May 31, 2020
This kinda fizzled instead of popped for me, but it was fun. Strange happenings occur in a Victorian wreck of a mansion isolated on an island accessible by a makeshift ferry only. The ferry's engine breaks down in the middle of a terrible thunder and lightening wind storm, while a murderer is stalking our favorite detective Sharon McCone and her clients. One of them is her counterculture sister and her three young children. The sister and her adult business partners want to open a fancy Bed and Breakfast, but first they have to survive the mysterious attacks on their hired help as well as themselves.
I had difficulty believing how the bad guy chose to pursue redress for a perceived injustice because it wasn't reasonable, even if the miscreant was illogical, which wasn't the case. It was a stretch in plot design, for me. I couldn't follow how it would have been a success if everything had fallen into place for the bad guy. For most readers, though, I'm sure it is nothing glaringly noticeable. On the plus side, the ending is hugely exciting with a BIG cinematic fight! Chills, spills and thrills!
I had difficulty believing how the bad guy chose to pursue redress for a perceived injustice because it wasn't reasonable, even if the miscreant was illogical, which wasn't the case. It was a stretch in plot design, for me. I couldn't follow how it would have been a success if everything had fallen into place for the bad guy. For most readers, though, I'm sure it is nothing glaringly noticeable. On the plus side, the ending is hugely exciting with a BIG cinematic fight! Chills, spills and thrills!
May 8, 2017
Who’s killing the new occupants of Appleby Island?
Sharon McCone’ sister, Pasty, asked her to visit the Island to determine why someone is sabotaging their efforts to open an exclusive Bed and Breakfast. After learning the history of the Island, McCone realized that the killer is not a stranger but is one of the partners. It’s up to McCone to expose the killer and the killer’s reason for wanting everyone off Appleby Island.
Eye of the Storm was a good read and Bernadette Dunne does a good job of storytelling.
May 26, 2018
This entry in the Sharon McCone series could be subtitled "Marcia Muller's homage to Gothics." I know I read this 25+ years ago but dang if I remembered any of it - which is kind of shocking since hello, it kind of reads like a Gothic had a baby with a really good episode of Scooby Doo (total Wendy catnip). The only ding against this one? Sharon is literally the only likable character in the bunch. Pretty much all the secondary characters are annoying and shady - which makes for a good mystery but not for a ton of character investment.
February 1, 2018
This is a comforting series, not too demanding, predictable, yet still interesting and not stupid. Sharon McCone, the PI, is a strong silent (ish) woman like Kinsey Milhone. This entry is a bit scary and pretty suspenseful. Sharon is summoned to an island home that her sister and friends are converting to a B&B. In the midst of a dangerous storm who is trying to scare them off the island, and why?
September 20, 2022
I mostly enjoy this series; I can't relate much to the main character. She reminds me a little of Kinsey Millhone, and yet they are significantly different from one another. In this installment of the series, McCone visits her sister at a bed and breakfast, or a resort place the sister plans to build with her new lover. Both McCone sisters are a little odd from my perspective, and they don't seem to be close. But that changes as the book progresses.
The mansion that McCone's sister hopes to remodel has a troubled past. The place goes back as far as the 1860s. One of its occupants took his life. Another was reportedly a hermit who insisted that no one else visit the island on which the mansion would be later built. As remodeling begins on the project, someone scares the extremely superstitious Chinese laborers by pretending to be the ghost of the hermit who once owned the island. They throw down their tools and rapidly depart, vowing never to return. When McCone gets there, she interviews associates of those workers, and she even finds a place where someone stashed old clothes designed to make the wearer look like the ghost hermit. As a storm descends upon the island, so does a murderer. One of the inhabitants dies, and McCone very nearly loses her life before this ends.
The upside to this mystery was that I didn't figure out what happened well in advance. That's always good. The downside for me was the plot rather bored me. These characters either irritated me or left me entirely unconcerned about their welfare. This was an OK book, and I'll continue reading the series. But I hope it gets better. If not, some near future book will be my last foray into the series.
The mansion that McCone's sister hopes to remodel has a troubled past. The place goes back as far as the 1860s. One of its occupants took his life. Another was reportedly a hermit who insisted that no one else visit the island on which the mansion would be later built. As remodeling begins on the project, someone scares the extremely superstitious Chinese laborers by pretending to be the ghost of the hermit who once owned the island. They throw down their tools and rapidly depart, vowing never to return. When McCone gets there, she interviews associates of those workers, and she even finds a place where someone stashed old clothes designed to make the wearer look like the ghost hermit. As a storm descends upon the island, so does a murderer. One of the inhabitants dies, and McCone very nearly loses her life before this ends.
The upside to this mystery was that I didn't figure out what happened well in advance. That's always good. The downside for me was the plot rather bored me. These characters either irritated me or left me entirely unconcerned about their welfare. This was an OK book, and I'll continue reading the series. But I hope it gets better. If not, some near future book will be my last foray into the series.
August 28, 2021
Sharon McCone, the Bay Area private detective created by Marcia Muller, is part Lew Archer and part Nancy Drew. In EYE OF THE STORM, the Nancy Drew part works better — there's genuine suspense about the reveal of the killer in the late chapters of this mystery, and only in part due to the fact that the handful of suspects are gathered in the dark in a grand old house on island cut off from the outside world by a storm. Muller cranks up the tense atmosphere with great skill.
The Lew Archer part is less successful, in my opinion. McCone, like Archer, lives an opaque and ascetic life, and she accepts her calling as someone to bear witness to the dysfunctions of others and cast subtle but cutting moral judgments of themselves. That, as much as solving the mystery, is what is meant to bind her to the reader. As a result, the characters inviting her to listen to their tangled resentments, grudges, entitlements and other neuroses never transcend "type" and become characters with those own agency. There's the Evil Bitch, the Neurotic, the Muttering Local, the Handclasping Sensible Woman, the Seeming Ally Who May Not Be That, and so on.
In all, that makes EYE OF THE STORM the sort of novel you'd enjoy once but not twice. All its pleasures are front-loaded. There's no nuance, no layers, to rediscover upon rereads. With its characters' pretensions toward refinement, it seems wrong to call this mystery a popcorn thriller. Maybe "Grey Poupon Thriller" is more accurate.
The Lew Archer part is less successful, in my opinion. McCone, like Archer, lives an opaque and ascetic life, and she accepts her calling as someone to bear witness to the dysfunctions of others and cast subtle but cutting moral judgments of themselves. That, as much as solving the mystery, is what is meant to bind her to the reader. As a result, the characters inviting her to listen to their tangled resentments, grudges, entitlements and other neuroses never transcend "type" and become characters with those own agency. There's the Evil Bitch, the Neurotic, the Muttering Local, the Handclasping Sensible Woman, the Seeming Ally Who May Not Be That, and so on.
In all, that makes EYE OF THE STORM the sort of novel you'd enjoy once but not twice. All its pleasures are front-loaded. There's no nuance, no layers, to rediscover upon rereads. With its characters' pretensions toward refinement, it seems wrong to call this mystery a popcorn thriller. Maybe "Grey Poupon Thriller" is more accurate.
November 24, 2018
At least this time mental illness/minority sexual preferences doesn’t equate to murderer?
Sharon McCone visits her sister who has sunk herself in a future B&B with a smallish cast of characters including the mentally unstable, the unethical, the delusional, and the appallingly naive. Someone’s pulling pranks but things get nastier after McCone’s arrival and pretty soon everyone’s in danger, perhaps due to an old curse or family history (same thing?)
I didn’t like anyone here, not even McCone, whose relationship endings seem to always happen between books. Infodump relates to an area of California with which I’m totally unfamiliar but Muller’s facility with integrating the history with the text has improved here. Just wish I cared more about this story.
Sharon McCone visits her sister who has sunk herself in a future B&B with a smallish cast of characters including the mentally unstable, the unethical, the delusional, and the appallingly naive. Someone’s pulling pranks but things get nastier after McCone’s arrival and pretty soon everyone’s in danger, perhaps due to an old curse or family history (same thing?)
I didn’t like anyone here, not even McCone, whose relationship endings seem to always happen between books. Infodump relates to an area of California with which I’m totally unfamiliar but Muller’s facility with integrating the history with the text has improved here. Just wish I cared more about this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2020
This installment of the Sharon McCone series was a real slow developing story. Some of the storyline seemed cliche and I was actually bored with it. Towards the end, about 4/5 in, the plot finally picked up and it was a somewhat decent ending. Hoping this is a fluke in the series and will continue to look for more of the McCone story
July 30, 2023
Sharon McCone runs to the rescue of her little sister, unraveling the mystery of a vandal on a private island with a run down mansion. While interacting with her sister's friends and business partners, some likable and some not so much, she uncovers an embezzler and murderer. The result is an easy, relaxing mystery to while away some time.
August 5, 2016
Eye of the Storm is the 8th title in the PI Sharon McCone series. which to date contains more than thirty entries. Sharon is confident in her professional skills, but a bit bummed by the trough into which her personal life seems mired. She hasn't seen her sister Patsy in quite some time, and when she sends an SOS requesting her help, Sharon travels to Appleby's Island in the Sacramento Delta. Patsy is working with friends to convert the decrepit mansion, complete with its own ghost, into a posh vacation resort, and a series of puzzling disturbances is threatening the viability of the plans. Sharon runs into the front edge of an massive and ominous storm on her drive, one that will play a big role her investigation.
This is a fairly straightforward, almost simplistic plot. The book's opening gets seriously bogged down with a much too detailed back-story about Patsy and Sharon's life long relationship. Once on the island, thing start to pick up. The ghost makes several appearances, but it's still a while before the first of two murders occurs. The second is fairly predictable. Now the story morphs into a variation on the locked room scenario, as Sharon frantically works to uncover the killer's identity. The suspense builds, but only mildly.
For me, the show was stolen by the time period in which it is set, at the end of the era just before the advent of the personal computer and cell phone. Sharon's job, though she doesn't, of course, know it, is much more complex in terms of information gathering and communication than it would be now, especially when the power goes out.
Marcia Muller has been honored with several prestigious awards. Her competent character, Sharon McCone, was a ground breaker at a time when nearly all fictional PIs were men. There are also several strong females in the story, and interestingly, a very weak man. Though somewhat dated, Eye is a fun look back at the way things were.
This is a fairly straightforward, almost simplistic plot. The book's opening gets seriously bogged down with a much too detailed back-story about Patsy and Sharon's life long relationship. Once on the island, thing start to pick up. The ghost makes several appearances, but it's still a while before the first of two murders occurs. The second is fairly predictable. Now the story morphs into a variation on the locked room scenario, as Sharon frantically works to uncover the killer's identity. The suspense builds, but only mildly.
For me, the show was stolen by the time period in which it is set, at the end of the era just before the advent of the personal computer and cell phone. Sharon's job, though she doesn't, of course, know it, is much more complex in terms of information gathering and communication than it would be now, especially when the power goes out.
Marcia Muller has been honored with several prestigious awards. Her competent character, Sharon McCone, was a ground breaker at a time when nearly all fictional PIs were men. There are also several strong females in the story, and interestingly, a very weak man. Though somewhat dated, Eye is a fun look back at the way things were.
November 14, 2011
This one was kind of like those episodes of Scooby Doo that had a special guest star, except instead of Meadowlark Lemon or Phyllis Diller showing up to help the Scooby gang, it's Sharon McCone who's dropping in at the haunted mansion.
"And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for that meddling P.I.!"
"And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for that meddling P.I.!"
October 24, 2021
Each book in this series seems to have a theme. This one I would classify as a gothic mystery with a classic plot. It has all the prerequisite elements such as a haunted and rundown Victorian mansion, people gathered together where everyone is a suspect, isolation, murders, atmosphere; and, of course, a dark and stormy night with thunder, lightening, lights going out, and crashing trees. Sharon McCone is a pre-technological detective (think noir) who solves the case by interviewing, searching files and documents, using her instincts and observational skills, and old fashioned legwork. This was not my favorite so far - it was slow in spots, the murderer's motives were not sufficient for all the mayhem he/she created and what would be achieved in the end, but the ending was a page turner with an exciting knock down drag out fight.
Sharon's sister, Patsy, whom she hasn't seem for several years comes to lunch one Friday with a request. Patsy who was an earth mother owning her own farm has now gone in with several people and bought a rundown mansion on Appleby Island once owned by an agricultural tycoon who planted pear trees. They want to turn it into an elegant bed and breakfast boatel with a restaurant. Patsy's new boyfriend will be the chef. Patsy wants Sharon to come to the island for a few days and investigate strange happenings that have been sabotaging the renovations. Sharon leaves San Francisco that afternoon and arrives in a fierce storm at the mansion. It is located on an isolated island only accessible by a small ferry complete with a ferryman named Max Shorkey who looks like a pirate. The mansion comes with an interesting historical background to enhance the strange "happenings".
Sharon soon learns that the "happenings" include several frightened workers walking off the renovation job and refusing to return, several canoes were untied and drifted away in a storm, an invasion of cockroaches in the kitchen, a gruesome doll hanging from a branch on an ancient pear tree in the orchard and found by Patsy's five year old daughter, etc. After Sharon arrives more serious "happenings" occur including, strange sightings of a ghost, the ferryman disappears and is presumed dead, Sharon is knocked out and set adrift in a boat in a storm and nearly drowns, a book on the history of the Appleby family who were the original owners of the mansion disappears from Sharon's night stand, and more.
Then the storm turns into a hurricane, the people are stranded on the island with no way to get off, another murder takes place, and Sharon concludes that the murderer has to be someone on the island. The suspects include:
- Neal Oliver who is bankrolling the project, while his brother Sam is in charge of his funds (as specified in their parents' wills). Neal is a little mental and acts like a child at times.
- Denny Kleinschmidt who is the contractor on the renovation project.
- Angela Won who is the surly business manager and doles out the finances.
- Stephanie Jorgenson who is in charge of the marina, boats, and dock facilities.
- Evans Newhouse who is Patsy's new boyfriend, soon to be chef of the restaurant, and looking forward to a state-of-the-art kitchen to work in.
- Sharon refuses to believe that Patsy, who is the interior decorator, is in any way involved in the "happenings". Patsy's son, 11 year old Andrew, helps Sharon figure out who the murderer is with his drawing skills.
Sam Oliver, Neal's brother arrives to check out how his brother is doing and examine the financial situation. Sharon takes an interest in him. There is no explanation on what happened to her last boyfriend, DJ Don. There were twists and turns, and I learned some facts about the area described in the book such as the delta communities of Walnut Grove, the rural Chinese community in Locke and Rio Vista. I really do like this series and will definitely continue reading on.
Sharon's sister, Patsy, whom she hasn't seem for several years comes to lunch one Friday with a request. Patsy who was an earth mother owning her own farm has now gone in with several people and bought a rundown mansion on Appleby Island once owned by an agricultural tycoon who planted pear trees. They want to turn it into an elegant bed and breakfast boatel with a restaurant. Patsy's new boyfriend will be the chef. Patsy wants Sharon to come to the island for a few days and investigate strange happenings that have been sabotaging the renovations. Sharon leaves San Francisco that afternoon and arrives in a fierce storm at the mansion. It is located on an isolated island only accessible by a small ferry complete with a ferryman named Max Shorkey who looks like a pirate. The mansion comes with an interesting historical background to enhance the strange "happenings".
Sharon soon learns that the "happenings" include several frightened workers walking off the renovation job and refusing to return, several canoes were untied and drifted away in a storm, an invasion of cockroaches in the kitchen, a gruesome doll hanging from a branch on an ancient pear tree in the orchard and found by Patsy's five year old daughter, etc. After Sharon arrives more serious "happenings" occur including, strange sightings of a ghost, the ferryman disappears and is presumed dead, Sharon is knocked out and set adrift in a boat in a storm and nearly drowns, a book on the history of the Appleby family who were the original owners of the mansion disappears from Sharon's night stand, and more.
Then the storm turns into a hurricane, the people are stranded on the island with no way to get off, another murder takes place, and Sharon concludes that the murderer has to be someone on the island. The suspects include:
- Neal Oliver who is bankrolling the project, while his brother Sam is in charge of his funds (as specified in their parents' wills). Neal is a little mental and acts like a child at times.
- Denny Kleinschmidt who is the contractor on the renovation project.
- Angela Won who is the surly business manager and doles out the finances.
- Stephanie Jorgenson who is in charge of the marina, boats, and dock facilities.
- Evans Newhouse who is Patsy's new boyfriend, soon to be chef of the restaurant, and looking forward to a state-of-the-art kitchen to work in.
- Sharon refuses to believe that Patsy, who is the interior decorator, is in any way involved in the "happenings". Patsy's son, 11 year old Andrew, helps Sharon figure out who the murderer is with his drawing skills.
Sam Oliver, Neal's brother arrives to check out how his brother is doing and examine the financial situation. Sharon takes an interest in him. There is no explanation on what happened to her last boyfriend, DJ Don. There were twists and turns, and I learned some facts about the area described in the book such as the delta communities of Walnut Grove, the rural Chinese community in Locke and Rio Vista. I really do like this series and will definitely continue reading on.
November 7, 2017
Sharon is asked by her sister Patsy to investigate mysterious goings-on at a run down mansion on an island in the Sacramento River delta region where she hopes to open a restaurant with her new boyfriend. A ghostly figure seems to be haunting the area around the mansion. Then a ferryman who runs the only ferry to the island disappears and is presumed dead, and a visitor is smothered to death as he sleeps. A heavy rain storm strands the guests overnight and Sharon finds some old books and documents in the library tracing the history of the mansion and the original owners, and she solves the mystery. This is an exciting combination of murder mystery and haunted house and ghost story. Also a good introduction to this area of California (Walnut Grove, Locke, and Rio Vista) that I never knew about.
February 2, 2019
Private investigator Sharon McCone is frustrated and confused about the cause, so when her sister comes to see her about the strange happenings at the island mansion that she and others are renovating, McCone is agreeable to joining them and trying to figure out what is going on.
At first things seem fine and the few public rooms that have been renovated look great, but they hid a that there are bigger issues hidden from plain sight — and it's the same with the adults that are there. And the strange things that go bump in the night are about to get more ominous.
This is the seventh in the McCone series and its beginning to feel like Marcia Muller is getting more comfortable with her character and her storytelling. A good, interesting read, especially for a dark and stormy night.
At first things seem fine and the few public rooms that have been renovated look great, but they hid a that there are bigger issues hidden from plain sight — and it's the same with the adults that are there. And the strange things that go bump in the night are about to get more ominous.
This is the seventh in the McCone series and its beginning to feel like Marcia Muller is getting more comfortable with her character and her storytelling. A good, interesting read, especially for a dark and stormy night.
July 24, 2021
A doll with a noose around its neck, its limbs twisted at torturous angles; the legend of Crazy Alf, said to haunt the island; a man dressed in rags standing amongst the pear trees; the death of a handyman; the mysterious death of William Appleby; the suicide of the last owner and occupier of the Appleby mansion a hundred years later; and an attack on Sharon McCone all do indeed place the PI at the eye of a human-caused storm. Does someone have a grudge against sister Patsy and her efforts to revitalize the old mansion? Have Applebys returned to hover and haunt? In these days of drought and wildfires, it is hard to picture a thrashing, crashing, raging winter storm pounding the docks, boats, and buildings, but Muller’s use of weather as a neutral but effective player adds to the suspense.
March 14, 2025
3+ recommended
But it’s not a noir PI story
It’s a bit of Scooby Doo (killer ghost would have gotten away with it if not for those darn kids), a bit of Agatha Christie, a bit of thriller (people trapped in an island mansion in a raging storm and one of them might be a killer!).
A lot of humor is added by the 1988 discussions about the computer being used (such an extravagant, unnecessary expense for doing accounting!)
The minor complaints are about how McCone neglects her cat (yet wonders why it now ignores her) and about how she goes over 24 hours without eating yet maintains strength and mental freshness. Just sustained by coffee and brandy.
The story is very good if you are looking for mystery and not detective fiction.
But it’s not a noir PI story
It’s a bit of Scooby Doo (killer ghost would have gotten away with it if not for those darn kids), a bit of Agatha Christie, a bit of thriller (people trapped in an island mansion in a raging storm and one of them might be a killer!).
A lot of humor is added by the 1988 discussions about the computer being used (such an extravagant, unnecessary expense for doing accounting!)
The minor complaints are about how McCone neglects her cat (yet wonders why it now ignores her) and about how she goes over 24 hours without eating yet maintains strength and mental freshness. Just sustained by coffee and brandy.
The story is very good if you are looking for mystery and not detective fiction.
September 2, 2018
I read this book as areas across the state (Wisconsin) and the nation were experiencing major storms and flooding -- and that seemed really appropriate since most of the action in this book seems to occur during a storm. Sharon nearly drowns twice, a body is lost during the storm, etc. Meanwhile all the suspects end up being fairly landlocked on an island during the storm. As for the mystery, this time I at least had a glimmer that the culprit must be related to Carzy Alf, but I didn't know who that was until after Sharon had it figured out..... One of these times I'll figure it out without being told!
November 23, 2024
Really tense and interesting: McCone nearly gets killed twice in this one. Set on an island in the Sacremento Delta - an area of the country I know nothing about - there is an old mansion being renovated to be turned into a hotel, and Sharon's sister Patti is one of the group renovating it. Odd and scary things are happening, and she begs Sharon to come investigate. When Sharon shows it, the odd things quickly escalate to murder ... and a storm blows in leaving them stranded on the island with a murderer loose. A spooky book where the spook is all too human, with reasons long buried in the past for their current actions.
September 13, 2022
Basically bad series murder mystery set on the flood plain of the Sacramento delta in a decrepit old mansion haunted by squatter who was murdered by the ancient owners. New murders occur and our spunky girl detective stumbles around solving them by making unlikely connections and gathering chance clues. Annoying how unconscious she is about taking a boat out in a developing storm, accidentally surviving (unfortunately) when she should have drowned or expired in all manner of ways while bumping into things, falling down, getting lost and so on.
December 29, 2020
San Francisco Private Detective Sharon McCone, at her younger sister's request, travels to the
Sacramento Delta to check out weird occurrences at an old former Millionaire's mansion that is
situated on an island in Mokalume River. A group of partners are restoring it to become a boatel.
The more increasingly dangerous events at attributed to a ghost but Sharon perseveres to get to
the bottom of who is really behind it.
Most of the geography is real
Sacramento Delta to check out weird occurrences at an old former Millionaire's mansion that is
situated on an island in Mokalume River. A group of partners are restoring it to become a boatel.
The more increasingly dangerous events at attributed to a ghost but Sharon perseveres to get to
the bottom of who is really behind it.
Most of the geography is real
July 12, 2017
Wow! This book was a real thriller to me! Being on an island during a horrible storm, with a murderer on the island as well was so intense! There are actually a couple of stories going on in the book but Muller keeps the action going until the very end of the novel! I was stumped by all that was happening on this island. I will now have to read some more of Marcia Muller's books.
May 12, 2018
That was good old fashioned who-dunnit. When Sharon's sister and business partners start experiencing some odd things, on the island mansion they are renovating, she calls Sharon. And what a quirky bunch. While Sharon is checking around things do not seem too bad, but then the storm comes. And with it, the first body. And as the storm grows so does the tension. Good one.
December 16, 2018
Sharon McCone aides her sister working at a mansion on a deserted island. Several friends and associates were trying to establish a boat hotel B&B, but someone was sabotaging the venture playing upon an old legend.
An okay written story, might have stopped but I wanted to find out who murdered Max and old Mr. Wan. It was Stephanie who wanted the island herself!
An okay written story, might have stopped but I wanted to find out who murdered Max and old Mr. Wan. It was Stephanie who wanted the island herself!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2019
Sharon McCone mystery #7...
Sharon is requested to visit her little sister on Appleby island in the Sacramento Delta to investigate why someone is continuing to try and stop the development of a Botel (Hotel where you can park a boat).
By # 7 Marica has really ramped up the excitement value for Sharon.
I was particularly interested as I now live in the Sacramento area and have visited the Delta.
Sharon is requested to visit her little sister on Appleby island in the Sacramento Delta to investigate why someone is continuing to try and stop the development of a Botel (Hotel where you can park a boat).
By # 7 Marica has really ramped up the excitement value for Sharon.
I was particularly interested as I now live in the Sacramento area and have visited the Delta.
February 24, 2021
This book didn't really keep me intrigued. At the beginning, it was very interesting but that dwindled after the first 3 chapters. It became confusing; jumping around in ways that made little sense as to what the overall plot. By the time I got to the last 2 chapters, things started to make more sense but it was a struggle to get re-interested.
July 30, 2023
Editing
The many errors were distracting. If only it had been proofread. So many from/form and friend/fiend errors. I paid for this book. Hopefully the print edition was not like this. I purchased other ebooks from this series. Maybe they will be error free. Disappointed that Amazon would sell this.
The many errors were distracting. If only it had been proofread. So many from/form and friend/fiend errors. I paid for this book. Hopefully the print edition was not like this. I purchased other ebooks from this series. Maybe they will be error free. Disappointed that Amazon would sell this.
May 12, 2024
Another older series - this book was published in the late 1980s - that I enjoy more with each book, despite how dated some aspects feel. Sharon, the MC, reminds me of Kinsey Milhone, with her determination, tenacity and, for lack of a better word, courage.
In this book, Sharon responds to her sister's plea for help, traveling to an island in the Sacramento delta to figure out who is behind the acts of vandalism and sabotage that are threatening to ruin the project Patsy and friends have undertaken. When the vandalism escalates to murder, though, and a storm strands everyone on the island, Sharon comes face to face with a killer.
I had a niggling feeling about one particular character, but wasn't sure my suspicions were right until the confrontation scene, during which I was unable to turn off the audio. I should know better than to listen to books like this late at night!
I look forward to returning to San Francisco to see what case Sharon takes on next.
In this book, Sharon responds to her sister's plea for help, traveling to an island in the Sacramento delta to figure out who is behind the acts of vandalism and sabotage that are threatening to ruin the project Patsy and friends have undertaken. When the vandalism escalates to murder, though, and a storm strands everyone on the island, Sharon comes face to face with a killer.
I had a niggling feeling about one particular character, but wasn't sure my suspicions were right until the confrontation scene, during which I was unable to turn off the audio. I should know better than to listen to books like this late at night!
I look forward to returning to San Francisco to see what case Sharon takes on next.
December 17, 2017
I usually enjoy this series, but I found this one to be very frustrating. Far much time spent trying to build suspense when really the storyline was to weak to support it. I have renamed this book Eye of the storm in a tea cup. I will read the next in the series and just hope this was a once off.
September 7, 2019
I've enjoyed the other Sharon McCone murder mysteries, but this one I had trouble with the author's geography of the Delta and surrounding towns. It was distracting for me, but for other's who aren't as anal about it, you'll do fine with the story.
August 3, 2021
I’m rereading this series. This particular story is dated, an attempt at a locked room mystery, and not nearly as good as others in the series. It’s a perfectly good story and if you had nothing else it would be fine for a rainy afternoon just far from this authors better books.
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