Crombie's 14th police procedural (after Necessary as Blood) featuring Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James further develops their personal and professional relationship. Rebecca Meredith, their colleague and an avid rower with Olympic potential, drowns while practicing along a familiar route on the Thames. Because of Rebecca's competitive and abrasive personality, the list of potential suspects becomes lengthy and complicated as Kincaid interviews her fellow athletes and detectives. Through their relentless efforts, Kincaid and James uncover a politically astute suspect who could permanently damage the reputations of numerous professional associates.
VERDICT Those familiar with Crombie's works will welcome another episode deepening the ongoing Kincaid-James relationship and enjoy the lengthy discussions about family happenings. Newcomers, however, will find that such details distract from the central plot. Although Crombie's novels have garnered her international acclaim, particularly in Germany, her multilayered and heavily textured style dampens the fluidity of a thrilling detective tale. [See Prepub Alert, 8/21/11.]
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