Murder at Barclay Meadow--A Mystery

May 18, 2015
Eckel’s disappointing first novel stars Rosalie Hart, a jilted wife who retires to the farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore left to her by an aunt, where she tries to carve out a new life for herself. In the Cardigan River that runs through her property, Rosalie discovers the body of Megan Johnston, a student athlete at nearby John Adams College. Rosalie doubts the too-easy conclusion of suicide promoted by scary sheriff Joe Wilgus. She later learns that Wilgus has a suspicious relationship with the college and that psychology professor Nicholas Angeles is reputed to sleep with his students. She also finds that Megan had an unhappy home life in Delaware and had been stalked in the past. Although readers may enjoy the investigative aspects involving social media and the colorful students from Rosalie’s memoir class (who share her opinion of the case), poor plotting and convenient coincidences raise questions about Rosalie’s compassion and intelligence. Agent: Ken Atchity, Story Merchant.

June 1, 2015

Meet Rosalie Hart, who is still reeling from her husband's recent affair and request for a divorce. Fleeing to Maryland's Eastern Shore to the house she inherited from her aunt, Rosalie tries to regroup and figure out her future. Her world is rocked again when she discovers the body of a young woman entangled in the nearby marsh grass. The death is ruled accidental, but Rosalie suspects a cover-up by the local college administration and sheriff's office. She and her friends from her writing class embark on a game of cat and mouse as they try to figure out what really happened to the girl in the marsh. Eckel creates a likable set of characters with series potential and keeps the reader guessing until the very end. As with many cozies, the author includes recipes for baked goods mentioned throughout the novel. VERDICT Please welcome the new cozy mystery writer in town! Eckel's riveting debut makes a nice addition to the genre and will certainly entertain anyone who enjoys the work of Dianne Mott Davidson or Katherine Hall Page. [See Kristi Chadwick's Genre Spotlight feature, "Not Your Usual Suspects," LJ 4/15/15.--Ed.]--Sandra Knowles, South Carolina State Lib., Columbia

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