Circle in the Water

by Marcia Muller Narrated by Tanis Parenteau

Overview

In this twisting mystery in a New York Times bestselling series, pranks escalate into a deadly scheme that Private Investigator Sharon McCone must unravel-¿before they claim her life.

San Francisco is home to more than 200 privately owned streets. Most are alleyways, but a select few are lined with mansions and elaborate gardens. When several luxury estate homes are targeted in a series of so-called pranks, Sharon is hired by a coalition of concerned owners to investigate. But as things escalate-an attempt on Sharon's life, an explosion at a meth lab, and a shocking murder-Sharon realizes far more is at play than a few misdemeanors gone wrong. The case takes a sudden turn when one of McCone & Ripinsky's most trusted employees is implicated, and Sharon will have to dig deep to save her agency-and her life.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Once again, Muller combines a heartfelt . . . investigation with strong elements of a family reunion."—Kirkus

"Fans of Muller’s San Francisco–based PI Sharon McCone (last seen in Ice and Stone, 2021) will be delighted that the hardworking sleuth is back in another action-packed adventure . . . McCone cracks the twist-filled case with her usual skill and persistence, offering a satisfying conclusion to a challenging assignment.”—Booklist

"Muller undoubtedly remains one of today's best mystery writers."—Associated Press

"Muller's McCone set the standard for fictional women detectives; after 35 installments, the detective's character has not diminished but continues to evolve and grow and meet all challenges head on. A must-read for Sharon McCone fans; the series should also be explored by any fan of strong women detectives." —Library Journal (Starred Review on Ice and Stone)

"Will turn any reader into a nail-biter . . . deftness in writing combined with the lead character's passionate morality and willingness to fight for the underdog are what have made this series successful for its long run . . . delivers a fast, intense, thought-provoking read." —New York Journal of Books (on Ice and Stone)

"Well-paced...Tough, tenacious, self-reliant, and empathetic, McCone is fiercely loyal to her friends and family. As always, it's a pleasure to watch her in action. Muller does a fine job."—Publishers Weekly (on Ice and Stone)

"[Marcia Muller's] stories crackle like few others on the mystery landscape."—San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle

"One of the world's premier mystery writers."—Cleveland Plain Dealer

APRIL 2024 - AudioFile

Tanis Parenteau delivers Marcia Muller's latest intense Sharon McCone mystery. At first, Parenteau's scratchy voice is unappealing, but as she navigates more twists and turns than a carnival ride, her tone fits the story. Vandalism has hit several upscale San Francisco neighborhoods. PI McCone's agency is hired by a neighborhood watch group to keep an eye on local streets. Believing the vandalism to be pranks, McCone and her husband/partner, Hy Ripinsky, question local suspects but aren't terribly concerned. However, when an Internet maven is killed and attempts are made on McCone's life, things take a more ominous turn. Parenteau's matter-of-fact tone proves just right for Muller's intelligently plotted mystery, reassuring fans that McCone is just as strong, bright, and determined as ever. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2024-02-03
Just when you think things can’t get any worse for San Francisco, miscreants prowl the area determined to prove otherwise.

Someone has it in for several of the city’s privately owned roads. Now that vandals have dumped fertilizer, broken windows, spray-painted graffiti, and otherwise made life miserable for the residents of four different streets, a grassroots neighborhood coalition has hired private investigator Sharon McCone to keep an eye on Rowan Court, the most recent target, presumably so that she can report on the horse that’s already left the barn. A map that’s dropped off at the home of Ted Smalley, McCone’s office manager, sends her in a new direction, toward Herrera Terrace. Could that be the next spot the vandals have in mind? Why are they carrying out this campaign in the first place, and why are they tipping her off? McCone’s questioning of Theresa Segretti, her coalition contact at Rowan Court, and Sam Sage, an internet influencer/meth cooker on Bancroft Lane, comes up empty-handed. Meanwhile the latest casualties of the war on the streets are Sam’s meth lab and then Sam himself, whose flight to a cousin’s distant home extends his life by only a few hours. The motive for all this misbehavior is likely to puzzle readers a lot less than McCone and Hy Ripinsky, her husband and partner, but the identity of the perps is more surprising. Although you can see why Ripinsky announces at the end, “Well, McCone, this sure has been one of our more stressful experiences,” fans will probably nod in recognition rather than flinch under the stress.

Once again, Muller combines a heartfelt but routine investigation with strong elements of a family reunion.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940159202246
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	04/23/2024
Series:	Sharon McCone Series
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos