Cyanide Wells

Cape Perdido #2

by Marcia Muller

Suspicion colors a man’s search for his long-vanished wife in this suspense-filled tale from national bestselling author Marcia Muller.

Fourteen years after his wife's disappearance branded him a murderer and ruined his life. Matthew Lindstrom receives an anonymous phone call revealing that Gwen is alive...and well aware of the wreckage she left behind. Seeking answers and revenge, he comes to the isolated town of Cyanide Wells. Here, where the surrounding thick forest conceals twisted paths and old sins, Matt begins to learn the details of Gwen's new life. But before he can confront her, his ex vanishes once more. Now Matt must join forces with Carly McGuire, a local woman with secrets of her own, and begin a desperate hunt for the truth about past crimes and Gwen's fate. For hovering over him are suspicions that can destroy him once again.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Thriller

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 16, 2003

About the author

Marcia 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.

Reviews

[Yvonne Mendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a quick but enjoyable read. As you go down memory lane the life of a sociopath is revealed layer by layer. I found myself wondering about the guilt or innocence of the main suspect, the runaway wife. This is a great book and I read it so fast because I couldn't put it down.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book twice and loved it each time. Helps that I'm from the area she writes about.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is interesting not so much for the mystery, which is a bit less than so-so, but for the fact that it was penned by Muller, who, along with P.D. James, Sue Grafton, and Sara Paretsky, are often considered the first modern women detective novelists. James’ An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (1972) was the first—and likely the best—of these, but only one more book followed before James went on to other characters. Muller’s Edwin of the Iron Shoes (1977) began the long career of P.I. Sharon McCone, who has now appeared in at least 31 novels. Why is this important? Because out of all of the famous women mystery writers we see on the best-seller lists, including Rita Mae Brown, Patricia Cornwell (both or whom identify as lesbian), Janet Evanovich, and J.D. Robb (who do not), Muller is the only one who has written a novel with a lesbian protagonist. And even here she kind of hedges her bets by giving her a male counterpart, who shares the story and comes to the rescue at the end.

The story goes something like this. Carly McGuire, editor of a small-town newspaper, picks up hitchhiker Ardis Coleman, who is on the run from demons in her past. The two fall in love and set up house together. Fourteen years later, Ardis disappears on the same day that her ex-husband shows up looking for her. The husband, Matt Lindstrom, has been tipped off by an anonymous phone call as to where Ardis has been living for so long and he plans to confront her not only for leaving him, bur leaving him to be suspected of killing her and disposing of her body. But when Ardis runs away again, he and Carly are forced to team up to find her—before something really happens to her.

Carly McGuire is not a particularly well-drawn lesbian, so you won’t get much of a sense of the LGBT community here. Still, Carly is a strong, acceptably likeable character. Her erstwhile life partner, Ardis, is less so. In fact, her character flip-flops like a jumping bean without a hint as to what makes her so. A much-needed backstory is hinted at, but never delivered. The mystery is not badly conceived, but it is pretty badly executed. It involves the three-year-old murder or a gay couple who happened to be friends with Carly and Ardis. In fact, if you can believe it, Ardis wins a Pulitzer in journalism for her in-depth reporting of the murder. Meanwhile, the dastardly mayor is threatening Carly and Ardis with all sorts of mean, nasty, ugly things if Ardis doesn’t sell him the property previously owned by the murdered couple—property for which Ardis is the administrator. And property which may harbor a rich vein of gold.

Well, after a great deal of searching and interviewing by Carly and Matt (they have alternate, third-person point-of-view chapters), and two suicides that seem to indicate involvement in the gay couple’s murder, the story seems to peter out in the time-honored fashion of having the killer simply be someone who is insane. The writing is professional, but obviously so. In other words, Muller, who has already written something like 40 novels, has to “research” this one—find out the intricacies of the place, how to be a photographer, and other tidbits. The homework shows. I feel nothing heart-felt here, just surface observations. We know little about even the main characters, such as who their friends are, what they drink, their ages--things that make me suspect that the author didn't know them either.

I guess the best part of this book—aside from the characters of Carly and Matt—is that the two didn’t get together at the end. But that’s one of those things that, if they had, simply would have taken a full star away from the book’s rating. As it is, the rating doesn’t change. Give it no more than a 2.4 as a mystery, 2.0 as a lesbian mystery. I’d say that if you’re wanting to give Muller a try, start with a Sharon McCone mystery. An early one.

Note: I read the first printing of the Mysterious Press hardback edition.

Another Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a photography instructor in the journalism department of a Wisconsin University Matthew Landstrom finds that he is particularly attracted to a young, appealing and unusually focused student, whom he soon makes his bride, regardless of the disapproving attitude of his peers. After a short time, difficulties arise in the marriage and his wife vanishes without a trace while circumstantial evidence seems to implicate him in her disappearance. Although he is never indicted, it’s assumed by everyone that he is somehow responsible and as a result his life is changed forever. Several years later, after moving to British Columbia and changing his name, he receives a mysterious phone call from a man that claims to know the whereabouts of his missing wife and provides him with her new identity and location in a small town in northern California called Cyanide Wells. Although he realizes that pursing her is folly, he can’t resist the temptation of finally confronting her and making her take responsibility for her actions and possibly, he admits to himself, take revenge--and after all, what man hasn’t entertained that thought. He leaves for Cyanide Wells and soon locates her but finds that along with assuming a new identity she has become a completely different person from the woman he once knew. Soon, he discovers that she is in the process of abandoning this new life and that once again accusations of murder and violence surrounds her. Ultimately he does confront her but wishes he had left well enough alone—an intriguing mystery that works well and comes to a reasonable but unsurprising conclusion.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it was complex and a good character study. It ended in a fairly realistic way.

[Chrisjuvers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was passed down to me by my husbands grandmother, who recently passed away. It's a mystery and an interesting read. The book was rather short and I finished it in 2 days but I did enjoy it.

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Matthew Lindstrom has finally found a new home and new life 14 years after his wife, Gwen, left him, leaving clues that led police and community members to believe he had killed her. Then it is shattered by a phone call.

As a result Lindstrom puts things in order in Port Regis, British Columbia, then makes his way to California and the community of Cyanide Wells, where he finds that his ex-wife is now living as Ardis, a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper reporter.

His plan? To get close enough to document that she is alive inorder to clear his name. But its not that simple, because there are things happening that are only slowly coming to light, some of which is familiar to Gwen/Ard's behavior with Lindstrom, and much that once again puts him — and his ex-wife's new love — under suspicion. Just what is going on? And why?

This is a tense, enthralling read and one is that quite a bit different from Muller's long-running Sharon McCone series. The characters are instantly believable — if not more logical — and their behavior realistic. Although that is not to say there weren't things I thought were odd: I never figured out what was the motivation of Lindstrom's ex-wife, why she behaves like she does, and why are the police instantly suspicious of a woman's disappearance which hasn't been reported.

Still, all in all, a good read.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book; exciting; kept your interest...

Fourteen years after his wife's disappearance branded him a murderer and ruined his life. Matthew Lindstrom receives an anonymous phone call revealing that Gwen is alive...and well aware of the wreckage she left behind. Seeking answers and revenge, he comes to the isolated town of Cyanide Wells. Here, where the surrounding thick forest conceals twisted paths and old sins, Matt begins to learn the details of Gwen's new life. But before he can confront her, his ex vanishes once more. Now Matt must join forces with Carly McGuire, a local woman with secrets of her own, and begin a desperate hunt for the truth about past crimes and Gwen's fate. For hovering over him are suspicions that can destroy him once again.

[Treva · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been years since I read anything by Marcia Muller. I enjoyed this as much as any of my previous reads. The story line was interesting with the ex-husband finding out that his wife was still alive living a secret life. He receives a phone call with her location and spends a very interesting two weeks involved in helping someone solve a murder along with uncovering what really happened three years earlier in Cyanide Wells.

[Carolyn Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough! Cyanide Wells is a town in northern CA where protagonist's ex-wife is living after disappearing 14 years before. He's there to find her; let her know the damage she caused him. instead he finds she's disappeared again (from her new family) and he gets caught up in the search to find her and her dtr.

[Anwnh5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved all the Marcia Muller Sharon McCone books. This is a different series but I am not sure how it could be book two as it seems to be an introduction to the characters . I enjoyed it but not as much as the McCone series.

[L Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never before read anything from this author, but I will in the future. This story was layer upon layer of twists and turns. No love scenes, just good mystery and detective work. Thumbs up to Marcia Muller.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Marcia Muller's Sharon McCone series. So I was hoping this stand alone mystery would be as good. Unfortunately, for me, the writing and characters weren't very compelling.

[Jerry King · Rating 4 out of 5]

2003

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read 2007

[Chandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I had no expectations going in, but this book kept me interested. I would definitely try another by this author.

[Sheryl Stookey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly kept me captivated and wanting to read more.

[Kat Walter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Awkward construction. Characters and story not compelling or believable. I bought box of Muller books at garage sale and I think they will end up in another one soon.

[Kathy Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

good action mystery, but I figured it out.ni did really enjoy it

[Lisa Molch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Einfach mal wieder ein tolles Buch! Nicht mehr und nicht weniger.

Würde ich auf jeden Fall weiter empfehlen!

[Bob Spears · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It took quite some time for me to catch on to the “whodoneit”. Zipped right through the book.

[Linda Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too predictable and not up to standard

[Corinne Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Mueller

Lost of good twists and turns to keep my interest. Plus Mueller’s typical descriptions of the California region. A good read.

[Buna Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot twist and turns blew my mind.

[Line · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stopped at page 246 Not the best

[Irv Kantrowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a detailed character study of a sociopath. As a "who done it" I could not determine this until the end of the book.

[Torie Hanstedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery, LGBT representation, and history.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old fans and new readers alike should enjoy this latest, standalone mystery by Marcia Muller. Muller combines murder, betrayal, revenge and greed into a story of excitement and suspense.
Matt Lindstrom has created a new life for himself running a charter fishing business in Port Regis, British Columbia in the Canadian Pacific. Over a decade earlier he was forced to leave a quiet college town in Saugatuck, Minnesota where he was suspected of foul play in the disappearance of his young wife, Gwen. Gwen’s car was found abandoned along a lonely Wyoming highway with all her personal effects in place: purse, keys, credit cards and her blood.
Eventually, when the police had insufficient evidence to make a case against him, Lindstrom decided to move away to anywhere he could start fresh, away from people’s suspicions. After several false starts, he ended up in Port Regis and has started the fishing business.
Then Lindstrom’s quiet, new life is shattered. He receives an anonymous call from a “friend” who reveals that Gwen is alive and has lived for the past 14 years in Soledad County, CA, in a remote town called Cyanide Wells, four hours north of San Francisco. She has adopted the name of her mother, Artis Coleman.
Lindstrom struggles with the news and then decides he needs to confront Gwen/Artis and find out why she ran off. He leaves his business in the hands of his first mate and heads to Soledad County to find his answers.
Gwen’s life has been rebuilt, too. She has a daughter, the result of a brief relationship with a jazz musician from San Francisco. She works as a reporter for the Soledad Spectrum, and the publisher, Carly Maquire, who is also her housemate – and lover.
Gwen was the principal reporter on a series of articles on a double murder that helped the Soledad Spectrum win the Pulitzer Prize. She has since taken a leave of absence to write a book about the murders, a book that some people don’t want her to finish.
Just when Matt arrives in Soledad County to find his answers, Gwen disappears again. Was it really foul play this time, or did Gwen engineer another disappearance? And who was it that called Matt to Soledad County in the first place? To answer these questions, Matt and Carly join forces to find Gwen, before murder is once again a front-page story at the Soledad Spectrum.
In an unusual, but effective, tag-team approach, Sandra Burr and J. Charles provide an excellent reading of Cyanide Wells. Muller switches the story from two third-person perspectives, that of Lindstrom and Maguire, and Burr and Charles both perform admirably. The change in voices enables a switch in emotions and viewpoint that works very well to carry the action in simultaneous situations occurring in different locations. The readers both exhibit a vivid understanding of their characters’ motivations and emotions.
Cyanide Wells is a tense well-told story, and culminating in a surprise ending. Muller continues to entertain with believable characters, intelligent insight, and the right amount of humor.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some betrayals that happen in our lives that are just too difficult to forget or forgive. Fourteen years ago, Matthew Lindstrom's wife, Gwen, disappeared. It was widely assumed that he had murdered her, which resulted in the loss of his livelihood as a photographer and forced him eventually to move on to new places. He's running a charter fishing service out of Port Regis in Canada when he receives an anonymous call telling him that Gwen is alive and living in Cyanide Wells, California. Bent upon justice, he travels to California to obtain proof that she is alive and that the allegations against him were false.

Matt quickly finds out that Gwen has been living with another woman, a newspaper owner by the name of Carly McGuire. Faking his credentials, he gets a job as the staff photographer. Gwen, who was using her mother's maiden name, "Ardis Coleman", had been working at the paper and done an award-winning piece on a local murder. She is currently working on a book based on that story. She has been living with her daughter, Natalie, and Carly for all these years. And then suddenly she disappears again.

Carly and Matt join forces to track Gwen/Ardis down. As they do so, they experience many surprises about a woman that both of them thought they knew well. Along the way, there is murder, suicide, staged death, kidnapping and land scams. Lies and deceit are the order of the day.

This standalone by the acclaimed author of the Sharon McCone series didn't stand out for me in any meaningful way. The characters seemed flat. Gwen/Ardis was off stage for most of the book, and it was difficult to see what attracted first Matt and then Carly to her. They both seem to have severely misjudged her character. I found that hard to swallow, particularly in the case of Carly, who had been involved with Ardis for 14 years. Some of the writing seemed overwrought to me, particularly the segments which revealed Carly's inner thoughts.

As always, Muller does a great job of placing the reader in the setting and the plot moves along nicely. However, the resolution was close to over the top; and I never really made an emotional or intellectual connection to the characters in the book. It was a disappointment for me.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt & Gwen were once just an estranged married couple. Gwen took off on Matt during the course of their impending divorce. She left behind clues that pointed to the possibility that she may have been murdered. Matt became the prime suspect so he left town to start a new life.
Fourteen years later, Matt receives an anonymous call as to Gwen's whereabouts. The caller informs Matt that Gwen is alive and living under the name of Ardis Coleman. Matt's initial intentions in going to Soledad County were predominantly to clear his name.
However, he not only found his "wife", but also the fact that everything he had known about her (even before her disappearance) was a lie. Matt is made to face the fact that Gwen has always been a very disturbed, narcissistic individual.
At times the storyline made me very emotional. Especially Carly's story, and how she was virtually broken by her own issues with the woman she had come to know as Ardis. Carly had to come to the realization that Ardis was not as she seemed.
In all honesty, the political (and historical) implements almost turned me off to this book. However, I came to appreciate the addition of them, because it provided so much substantiation as to the lengths that somebody would go through for their own personal advantage. How they could put anybody's, (especially a loved one's) well-being in danger (at any given time) in order to achieve their own ends.
I kept thinking that there had to be a reason that Gwen/Ardis was like that, but none ever came....