Book Review for The Margaret Ellen, A Karen Cobia Mystery by RC Burdick

I've discovered a new favorite author, and his name is RC Burdick.

The Margaret Ellen is an ocean-drenched mystery, filled with vibrant characters, palpable sea breezes, and spine-tingling suspense. It's a story that lingers in the reader's mind for days, conjuring up images of blustery sky and sea, saltwater-dampened hair, and personalities that spring to life from the rapidly turned pages. Like a great film, it's over far too soon.

Karen "Seaweed" Cobia is in a dilemma. Treading water in unsatisfactory relationships, Seaweed knows something has to change. As the charming, boyish charter boat captain sets out to right the wrongs in her life, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of a juicy murder investigation.

Seaweed and soon-to-be-ex boyfriend, Angus Loman, discover a body bobbing in the surf off Hangman's Key, an island on the west coast of Florida. Eva Park, local well-known philanthropist, is found face down in the surf with her hands and feet bound and a bullet in her forehead. Because Seaweed was raised by her sea-loving father, owner of Cobia's Bait, Tackle, and Charter Service, her resultant marine expertise aids in the murder investigation. The crusty local detective, Myers, begrudgingly accepts her assistance. Nicknamed "Grim Lips," Myers continues to seek out Karen's help as his regard for her skill intensifies.

As the mystery unfolds, a peculiar woman approaches Seaweed for help, embroiling her more deeply in the intrigue. Seaweed tries to balance the life she craves on the ocean with the promise to help the young woman, but instead is catapulted toward a dangerous liaison with the devious culprit who wants her dead.

Mr. Burdick's first mystery is a masterpiece ? the sense of place is alive and tantalizing; the scenes are vibrant and tangible. I still taste the salt from the onion rings; feel the condensation on the café tabletop; and sense the rolling of The Margaret Ellen as it moves through the swells. Burdick's knowledge of boats, waterways, fishing, and life on the Florida coast is dazzling, and lends credibility to the work.

The Margaret Ellen is reminiscent of John D MacDonald's Travis Magee series. As much as I love Travis Magee, I must say that I felt closer to Burdick's characters and more securely at the helm of The Margaret Ellen than I did with Magee's houseboat, The Busted Flush. Is that a travesty?

The natural dialogue is brilliantly set to the rustling of sea oats and whistling Austrian pines. The interplay between Seaweed and her father is priceless, emotive, and genuine. Evocative of real life, it brings to mind my own precious relationships with my three daughters. When I finished The Margaret Ellen, I was left with the paradox of deep satisfaction coupled with a strong yearning for more. I cared about these characters, and want to know what happens next. Mr. Burdick has hinted at a sequel and will undoubtedly have a long line of readers anxiously awaiting its release!

Aaron Paul Lazar resides in Upstate New York with his wife, three daughters, two grandsons, mother-in- law, two dogs, and three cats. After writing in the early morning hours, he works as an electrophotographic engineer at NexPress Solutions Inc., part of Kodak's Graphic Communications Group, in Rochester, New York. Additional passions include vegetable, fruit, and flower gardening; preparing large family feasts; photographing his family, gardens, and the breathtakingly beautiful Genesee Valley; cross-country skiing across the rolling hills; playing a distinctly amateur level of piano, and spending "time" with the French Impressionists whenever possible.

Although he adored raising his three delightful daughters, Mr. Lazar finds grandfathering his "two little buddies" to be one of the finest experiences of his life. Double Forte', the first in the series, was published in January 2005. Upstaged, number two, is in production. With eight books under his belt, Mr. Lazar is currently working on the ninth, which features Gus LeGarde and his family. http://www.legardemysteries.com

---

Execution - A Book Summary

You've got the bright ideas and the smart people, and... Read More

Bury My Heart at Redtree

Title: Bury My Heart at Redtree Author: Patrick Chalfant Genre:... Read More

The Legend of Juggin Joe - Review

The Legend of Juggin' Joe is a fiction based on... Read More

Practice What You Preach - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review

Practice What You Preach: What Managers Must Do to Create... Read More

Book Summary: How To Work With Just About Anyone

"I just can't seem to get along with this person!"Every... Read More

Niche Site Confessions Revealed ? An Unbiased Ebook Review

If you're like me then chances are when it comes... Read More

Reality Checked - Book Review

Reality Checked ? Life through Death, is a moving saga... Read More

Spiders Big Catch

When I was in college, Spider McGee, Charlie Fox, and... Read More

The Legend of Juggin Joe - A Preview of the Comedy Sensation You Dont Want to Miss!

THE FROGGIN INCIDENTAs I recall this particular happenin', which we... Read More

Book review on Finite Capacity Scheduling, Part II

Now add ten more car wash trucks, with the corresponding... Read More

Going Deeper - Book Review

Going Deeper by Jean-Claude Koven is certainly a nicely presented,... Read More

The Little Mornings - Book Review

The Little Mornings, by C M Albrecht is a murder... Read More

Erasure and the Othering of Texts

Percival Everett's Erasure takes a look at how racism affects... Read More

A Ghost in Cornwall

This land is my memories. For two thousand years this... Read More

Review: How To Write and Publish Your Own eBook in as little as 7 Days

How To Write and Publish Your Own eBook in as... Read More

Book Review: If You Are Over Fifty, You Are Entitled To Some Very Interesting Discounts On Travel:

Title: Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely... Read More

The World is Flat - This Book by Thomas L Friedman has Taken the Online Entrepreneurs by Storm

The New York Times' columnist visits India often. I read... Read More

Never Fry Bacon in the Nude - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review

Never Fry Bacon in the Nude (And Other Lessons from... Read More

Sorat and the Modern Day Evil

"Sorat's evil will be spread by his infernal army of... Read More

E-books in Your Life

E-Books are making a big impact in the way we... Read More

Book Summary: Good To Great

Explore what goes into a company's transformation from mediocre to... Read More

Lethal Option - Book Review

"This has to be one of the best detective novels... Read More

Straight from the Gut - A Different Take on Business

Jack Welsh, the recently retired CEO of General Electric, presents... Read More

The Oz Principle - A Book Summary

In The Oz Principle, Connors, Smith, and Hickman brilliantly use... Read More

What Really Works - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review

If you watch television, read the newspaper and/or magazines, frequent... Read More

Critical Condition: How Health Care In America Became Big Business-And Bad Medicine:

Title: Critical Condition: How Health Care In America Became Big... Read More

The Southwest Airlines Way - AchieveMax® Top Ten Book Review

Over the years, several books and countless magazine and newspaper... Read More

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - A Review

If writing was a religion, it shall be easy to... Read More

Living in Darkness - Book Review

Award winning author John Roynesdal, is a retired English teacher... Read More

Albany, NY Family History Reference Now Available Thanks To Author Joseph Yakel

"Personal research references, especially for families who once lived in... Read More

Book Summary: Secrets of Word Of Mouth Marketing

Spread the word about your hot new product or company!Word-of-mouth... Read More

10 Best How-To Books Ever Written

Somebody once said there are more book titles beginning with... Read More

The Cranberry Bog - Book Review

"Scott Underhill takes readers on a stimulating, emotional ride in... Read More