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Title: The Deep End

Subtitle: The Country Club Murders, Book 1

Author: Julie Mulhern

Narrator: Callie Beaulieu

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 08-23-16

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 88 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It's 1974 and Ellison Russell's life revolves around her daughter and her art. She's long since stopped caring about her cheating husband, Henry, and the women with whom he entertains himself. That is, until she becomes a suspect in Madeline Harper's death. The murder forces Ellison to confront her husband's proclivities and his crimes - kinky sex, petty cruelties, and blackmail. As the body count approaches par on the seventh hole, Ellison knows she has to catch a killer. But with an interfering mother, an adoring father, a teenage daughter, and a cadre of well-meaning friends demanding her attention, can Ellison find the killer before he finds her?

Critic Reviews:

"The Deep End is an enjoyable, frequently amusing mystery with a mixture of off-beat characters that create twists and turns...A fine start to this mystery series, one that is highly recommended." (Mysterious Reviews)

Members Reviews:

Better Than I Expected

I wasn't sure I would like a book set in the 70s. I was wrong. Other than a few references to Nixon and the noticeable lack of a cellphone, the reader has no idea of the story's time period. Once I got over that, I was left with a realistic, well crafted mystery with lots of suspects, twists and turns and engaging characters. I will definitely read the next book in this series.

Marginally Less Bland Nancy Drew

Its definitely a whodunit with all the trappings of a classic Nancy Drew book: handsome men who are all inexplicably drawn to the main character for the sake of creating romantic tension and privileged backgrounds run amok. I like Nancy Drew but the description for this book promised me something else (something clever).

I cant say Id recommend it but it was nice not having to think too hard or at all. The beginning really hooks you, but around three-quarters of the way through waffles around with a lot of angst (like three chapters worth) and forced character growth on Ellisons part via insufferable internal dialogue. All the characters have the depth of cardboard, with Ellison being the cardboard box her designer clothes come in. The mystery seemed a little obvious after a certain point and the conclusion seemed a little ad-hoc. Frankly, I wouldnt mind reading more from the author with this expectation in mind. File it under guilty pleasures.

This story has countless cliches of the country club mother portrayal, the grown daddys girl, and the incredibly judge-y portrayal of sex/sex workers. If you can get through the protagonists loathing of a country club lifestyle she still clearly embraces via designer clothes that are mentioned for no real reason, go for it. Audio book was a good format for this as my eyes were rolling so hard I probably couldnt have read it anyway.

Not of value

don't waste time or money. I have no interest in this type of book. really.

Great narration

I was a teenager in an upper middle class household (New Jersey, not Kansas City) at the time this was set, and this is not the first time I'm going to say that an author has gotten "old money" wrong. From my experience the folks described seem more "new" money than "old", although I suppose writers can emphasize things for effect. Moreover, there aren't that many dowager dragons terrifying their offspring.