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Love is complicated, but death is permanent...

A man is shot dead in the street. A close friend is accused of murder. A Russian crime lord lurks in the shadows. Local reporter Adele Plank knows that in the San Juan Islands things are rarely what they seem and that secrets run as fast and deep as the waters that surround them. She must fight to uncover the truth and stay one step ahead of those who would silence her forever.

"A well-crafted series with a beautiful location and a variety of wonderfully interesting characters." -Barbara Jean Lemon

300 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2017

382 people are currently reading
190 people want to read

About the author

D.W. Ulsterman

89 books176 followers
D.W. Ulsterman is the bestselling author of THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS MYSTERY SERIES.

His most recent novel, THE TRUTHING TREE, is now available.

All of his novels are available here: http://goo.gl/kEPU6R

"Mr. Ulsterman doesn't disappoint."

-THRILLER JUNKIE

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Community Reviews

5 stars
727 (61%)
4 stars
351 (29%)
3 stars
92 (7%)
2 stars
14 (1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Tulay.
1,202 reviews2 followers
December 16, 2017
Great, must read series.

Fall in love with these characters last year in November. First book was "The Writer" since that book patiently waited for the next book, enjoyed every one of the books. San Juan Islands has many loving and caring people, they are always there to help Adele, gather the true story so she can inform her readers. Man is killed by the sheriff, Russian crime lords put her loved ones in danger. Edge of your seat mystery, you'll feel and smell the cold and salty waters of the San Juan Islands, while riding with Adele in her boat.
50 reviews
December 17, 2017
Fantastic! Couldn't put it down!

Another great book from D.W. Ulsterman. I tried to make it last, but the mystery, suspense, and fun meant I just had to keep reading! I love that it's set in the San Juan islands, a magical place in the Pacific Northwest. I can't wait for the next in the series!
Profile Image for Margot.
71 reviews1 follower
October 19, 2024
Best mystery series….and set in the San Juan Islands!

Every now and then a book really stand out. The story is interesting, compelling to finish, and characters become so real they feel like friends. There are useful tidbits about life, dealing with adversity, importance of loyalty and friendship sprinkled in.

This series starting with The Writer, has all that, and it has been set in the very special place, the San Juan Islands. After reading the first book in the series, I read the next, and the next, and the next until finishing each book that is available written by Ulsterman. This series has become one of my favorites, I’m spreading the word to other readers, San Juan Islanders, friends and cousins from the midwest and everyone I talk to about books.
If you like a well told story, read one, then read them all!
1,037 reviews6 followers
July 11, 2022
Another Adele Plank mystery, the cute, super-woman-newspaper journalist, who solves murder cases, saves lives, puts fear in the hearts of bad guys, and attracts the love of all the island people at first sight. The reader really has to swallow a lot with this over-the top installment. But the characters are written well, and the locale sounds beautiful and delightful. Sheriff Lucas shoots a man in self-defense, but the man does not have bullets in his gun. Is this a case of suicide by cop, a setup to get Lucas out of the picture, or cold-blooded murder?
38 reviews
August 8, 2022
Interestig

The author makes his main character to be some kind of superwoman (unbelievable)....able to do almost anything, always on the go, solving mysteries, keeping tabs on people, liked by all the good people, the target of the bad people.

The most interesting part of this book was the part about the Russian mafia being in Canada and working their way down to the San Juan Island area...very revealing.

The part about the nuns owning the one island was very interesting. Did the research and it was a fact !!!


Profile Image for Mandy.
25 reviews
December 28, 2022
Really enjoying this series,

I have now read four books in this series, and I’ve really enjoyed them. As someone who lives in Northwest Washington and has visited many of the San Juan Islands, it’s fun to be able to picture the scenes from the book playing like a movie in my mind. I also like the characters{ development and the romantic mystery intertwined with the several other mysteries happening on the islands. I’m looking forward to the next book!
195 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2018
The Best Adventure Yet!

Book four is the best of the series of you want twisted plots and International crime mixed in with romance and love of the San Juan Islands and the life thereon. This book has it all including a touch of Hollywood. Adele, Roland, and Sheriff Pines get more involved as friends. I cannot wait to read book five!
Profile Image for Darlene Chalker.
101 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2024
Another adventure in the San Juans. Such a lovely place and I love all the descriptions. Adele is solving crimes, living on a sailboat, and zooming around in her new runabout, jumping the wakes of ferrys. Sometimes, the book gets confusing, lots of characters. A kindle version would have been helpful.
27 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2018
Great Read

I enjoyed this installment of the San Juan Islands Mystery Series as much as I have enjoyed reading the three preceeding mysteries in the series. I have gor years wanter to cruise the San Juan Islands on a vessel I will charter.
Profile Image for Donna L Walls.
2 reviews
September 3, 2018
Very captivating

The book was very captivating. I finished it in a day! The adventures Adele gets into are great and the endings leave me wanting more. Can't wait for the next book!
251 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2021
Mystery and Mayhem

This engaging mystery will hold your attention from beginning to end. A beautiful and peaceful island brings Russian criminals trying To overcome the locals! Which will prevail? A great read!
113 reviews
October 20, 2022
Action action action

Fast paced full of action the core characters continue to develop. From the frothing marine waters to the punches the action sequences never stop. The story moves very fast and suddenly there is a sappy ending.
314 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2023
Great story

Truly a story about good and evil. Suspenseful page turner. Really loved the characters in the story, especially Mother Ophelia, would not want to get on her bad side! Glad for a happy ending, but suspect it is not over.
Profile Image for Kathy Schouten.
1,310 reviews2 followers
August 8, 2024
3.5 Another quick, fast paced book in the SanJuan Islands series. I still see Adele as a modern Nancy Drew and while her standing up to the Russian mob is a bit over the top, the book did keep my interest.
2 reviews
July 1, 2019
Another awesome story!!

The San Juan Islands Mystery keeps getting better and better. I can’t wait to start the next adventure of Adele Plank.
482 reviews1 follower
Read
March 5, 2020
Rosario's Revenge

Congratulations on another Great mystery. Once started reading , could not out this story down. Thank you from another fan
Profile Image for Char Stimpson.
83 reviews
April 11, 2020
Excellent read

This book was my favorite in the series! I am eagerly awaiting the next book to be released! If you enjoy a good mystery, this series delivers.
Profile Image for Pierre Borlase.
75 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2024
Island Drama

Powerful, funny, intriguing, and explosive reading. This book kept me entertained till the end. When you think how it will end there is another twist in the tale.
5 reviews
July 17, 2024
I'm really enjoying this book series. I like supporting local authors especially when their work is so good. I have started book 5 and can't wait for more.
791 reviews
February 9, 2025
Rosario's Revenge -

The bad guys were just a little too bad; The good guys a little too good. For me, this one just didn't do the job.
53 reviews
July 4, 2025
Book 4 in this series. Continues on a good trend. Thriller with a thread of romance.
3,839 reviews8 followers
October 15, 2018
Another murder to solve, still no movement on the "love triangle" that really isn't and another winner of a story.

Adele is thrown into another mystery, we still don't have any idea if she prefers Lucas or Rowan and we get to know the residents of the islands a little better.

I am thoroughly enjoying this series and look forward to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews

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