1) Plot was a bit slow to get moving, as the reader doesn't learn the protagonist's goal/agenda for far too many pages, imho. Once that comes out, the stakes are clear and this complex "isolated village" story lights up. The fierce setting is a major character in the story, literally a force of nature. The nuanced and believable main characters are well drawn in a writing style both dense and elegant, especially the protagonist. I thoroughly enjoyed this poignant, measured, thoughtful read. A very satisfying mystery.
2) This was a carefully constrained story, unfolding step by step as the protagonist searches for answers in the death of his step son. Fitzroy does a beautiful job creating a world isolated both geographically and emotionally, the characters are roughly hewn from the landscape and finely detailed and nuanced in character so that everything, every step the protagonist takes, seems compelling and inevitable, and the love affair realistic.
3) I loved the writing style and the realism of the book. It was slower moving, but highly entertaining.
4) A premise (and a cover) I've seen more than once, but this story stands out because its slightly older protagonists are convincingly mature and thoughtful. Good plot, fine attention to detail, and characters who actually think before they act. A nice change from the impulsive and often dim-witted youngsters in many stories.
Gay Mystery / Thriller
Publisher: Manifold Press (November 2, 2015)
Amazon Kindle: In Deep
Arriving on a remote Scottish island to investigate an unexplained death, Ted Harris finds himself entangled in the life of the community – and becomes attracted to Athol, his enigmatic landlord. Soon they’re working together, depending on each other for survival in perilous circumstances, and slowly unravelling the mystery. Will they ever figure out exactly how and why Kieran Parnes died and who was responsible for his death, and what will it do to the island – and to the tentative beginnings of their relationship – if they tell anybody what they know?
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