The New House by Keith
Muir
Gopher Books, 2001
No ISBN
Mystery
George Edward Murray
was indisputably dead. He was the guy that had moved into the New House.
Washed up on the beach in a wet suit, it appeared that he was another
drowning victim...until Sergeant Willie Mackay discovered the bullet hole
in his head that was covered by the black rubber hood of the wet suit.
The only person that
seemed to have a motive was Sandy, a local fisherman. His wife Jenny worked
for George, and it appeared that she had been having a love affair with
him. But then when Mackay discovered a stash of drugs inside a rotting
fish in the trunk of George's auto, it began to look as if there might
be other players in the game.
Muir has achieved wonderful
characterization. Jenny and Sandy have marital problems refereed by Sandy's
father, Alec. The various police officers and constables each have their
own agenda...then there is "Red Jock," and old family friend...or
is he?
Muir was born in Chicago
and educated in Dunfermline and Edinburgh. He has adopted his current
home, the wild countryside of Caithness, Scotland, for the site of this
suspenseful tale. He has really captured the feel of his adopted homeland;
the mannerisms and colloquial terms of the local denizens.
An unexpected twist
in the tale and surprise ending along with just the right touch of humor
made this a very exciting and enjoyable read.
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