Because I have read several books and short stories by Ann Cleeves  (see The Darkest Evening ) I jumped at the chance to read this one when I saw The Rising Tide  on Netgalley.

I was a bit surprised when it started out slowly for several chapters.  With a book by an author I did not know, I would have probably just put the book down and told Netgalley that I would not be reviewing it.  But since it was Ann Cleeves I was sure she had her reasons and a great murder mystery would soon follow.  I was not disappointed.

 

The long introduction was to introduce this small group of friends who bonded on a school retreat as sixth formers (Americans in my audience should think of college-bound high school seniors) and have been re-uniting every five years on Holy Island, the site of their bonding retreat.  The story takes place at the fiftieth-year reunion and shortly afterwards.

One of the members apparently commits suicide by hanging and is discovered by one of his friends in the morning.  DI Vera Stanhope is sent to the island to examine this death and confirm whether or not it is a suicide.   She believes it is murder and is soon proven correct.

 

Because the tides separate Holy Island, from the mainland for much of each day it seems  likely that someone at the reunion  was the murderer.  Relationships change over the years and Vera found reason to suspect many of the attendees.  This makes for a great mystery with a very surprising ending.

The book is scheduled for a September 6 publication.  I thank Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the chance to read it before publication.