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The Ebb of Murder
Hoping for a much needed vacation, Detective Madison Phillips and her partner believed they would have one while attending their friend's wedding with their spouses. Unfortunately, there is a drowning spree hitting the beach and it's up to Madison to catch this killer before he kills again. Not to mention that the groom, who is also a local detective, won't leave the area until the case is closed. Determined to have their friends Mike and Emily's honeymoon go without a hitch, Madison has called on her Medical Examiner husband, DHS friend, and her partner's criminology expert husband to help. With all the twists mounting, can they catch the killer or will he simply slip away?
439 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2021
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 12, 2023
Got this novel free in return for an honest review. I honestly couldn't finish this one because the editing on it was so bad! Maximus' hot tub set up was the most intriguing part of this novel. Feel like there were too many characters right out the gate, and they were all too similar. Unnecessary overlap in the characters' versions. and during Maximus' scene where he takes his first victim, the flow was off. He was talking about his plan, but the story jumped into him actually doing it...
October 9, 2023
The Ebb of Murder by Marjorie Townsend is a mystery thriller that follows Detective Madison Phillips and her partner as they try to solve a series of drownings at the beach. The book is the fourth installment in the Madison series, but it can be read as a standalone novel.
The book starts with a prologue that introduces the killer's motive and method. He is a drug dealer who uses a special substance to make his victims drown in water while having sex with him. He targets women who are unhappy with their marriages or relationships, and lures them with his charm and charisma. He calls himself the Ebb, and he believes he is doing them a favor by giving them a blissful death.
The main plot begins with Madison and her partner, along with their spouses, attending their friend's wedding at a beach resort. Their friend, Mike, is also a detective, and he is marrying Emily, a journalist. They are hoping to have a relaxing vacation, but their plans are disrupted when they learn about the drowning spree. Mike insists on joining the investigation, and Madison agrees to help him out. They team up with Madison's husband, who is a medical examiner, and her partner's husband, who is a criminology expert. Together, they try to find clues and patterns that will lead them to the Ebb.
The book is fast-paced and engaging, with short chapters that switch between the perspectives of the killer and the investigators. The author does a good job of creating suspense and tension, as well as adding some twists and turns along the way. The characters are well-developed and likable, especially Madison, who is smart, brave, and compassionate. The book also explores some themes such as marriage, friendship, trust, and justice.
The book has some flaws, however. For instance, some of the dialogue is unrealistic and cheesy, especially between the couples. Some of the scenes are also too graphic and violent, which may not appeal to some readers. The ending is also somewhat predictable and rushed, leaving some loose ends unresolved.
Overall, The Ebb of Murder by Marjorie Townsend is an entertaining and thrilling read for fans of mystery and crime fiction. It has an intriguing premise, a compelling plot, and a strong heroine. It may not be perfect, but it is certainly worth checking out.
The book starts with a prologue that introduces the killer's motive and method. He is a drug dealer who uses a special substance to make his victims drown in water while having sex with him. He targets women who are unhappy with their marriages or relationships, and lures them with his charm and charisma. He calls himself the Ebb, and he believes he is doing them a favor by giving them a blissful death.
The main plot begins with Madison and her partner, along with their spouses, attending their friend's wedding at a beach resort. Their friend, Mike, is also a detective, and he is marrying Emily, a journalist. They are hoping to have a relaxing vacation, but their plans are disrupted when they learn about the drowning spree. Mike insists on joining the investigation, and Madison agrees to help him out. They team up with Madison's husband, who is a medical examiner, and her partner's husband, who is a criminology expert. Together, they try to find clues and patterns that will lead them to the Ebb.
The book is fast-paced and engaging, with short chapters that switch between the perspectives of the killer and the investigators. The author does a good job of creating suspense and tension, as well as adding some twists and turns along the way. The characters are well-developed and likable, especially Madison, who is smart, brave, and compassionate. The book also explores some themes such as marriage, friendship, trust, and justice.
The book has some flaws, however. For instance, some of the dialogue is unrealistic and cheesy, especially between the couples. Some of the scenes are also too graphic and violent, which may not appeal to some readers. The ending is also somewhat predictable and rushed, leaving some loose ends unresolved.
Overall, The Ebb of Murder by Marjorie Townsend is an entertaining and thrilling read for fans of mystery and crime fiction. It has an intriguing premise, a compelling plot, and a strong heroine. It may not be perfect, but it is certainly worth checking out.
May 8, 2024
i wanted to give this book 2 stars. however, after writing down all the aspects i didn't like, i couldn't possibly. anyhow, i have to say the last few chapters hooked me and the action itself was ok. maximus' modus operandi was quite original and his pov's were usually interesting.
first of all, the book is too long. although i enjoy dialogues that have nothing to do with the action, these were too useless: always the same jokes and, overall, repetitive dialogues. also, i understand that maddie and lou were in their honeymoon phase, however, their relationship seemed to consist of sexual banter (also quite repetitive) and i don't remember seeing a dialogue that reflects the love they felt for each other.
besides that, the change of pov's didn't make that much sense. something would happen, and then it would be repeated in a different pov. it would be nice if it gave us new information, but it didn't, and most of the time they were straight up useless. i also think that the chapters describing how the victims die are unecessary: after the first ones, they were all pretty similar and we didn't need to read whole chapters dedicated to it.
the characters were also something. at the beginning, i was curious to see the role of each friend in the group, but then i noticed that they were all the same. i think they could each have more perks and, for example, different ways of talking, so that they could show different personalities.
related to that, one aspect i couldn't help but notice was this phrasal structure:
"Thank you for making them, hell, for the entire breakfast." "Hell, they would bring her salmon treats.” "“Hell, count Joesy and Frank in that excitement too.”. It was too much and it seems like all the characters think the same way.
finally, there were inaccuracies that stood out to me while reading. sometimes, a character would mention a previous dialogue and talk about something that didn't happen. that, and some typos or words that were simply misused. besides that, i felt like the search could have been better: sometimes, the medical examiners would ignore or simply didn't notice aspects that were obvious and helpful, which was kind of unrealistic. i also didn't quite understand maximus' abrupt change: we are led to see him as a smart and careful man, but his final actions with maryanne seem completely out of character.
anyways. apart from all this, i think this book had quite a lot of potential. the villain was interesting and kept me curious enough to keep on reading. unfortunately, the rest didn't particularly captivate me.
(got the book in exchange for an honest review)
first of all, the book is too long. although i enjoy dialogues that have nothing to do with the action, these were too useless: always the same jokes and, overall, repetitive dialogues. also, i understand that maddie and lou were in their honeymoon phase, however, their relationship seemed to consist of sexual banter (also quite repetitive) and i don't remember seeing a dialogue that reflects the love they felt for each other.
besides that, the change of pov's didn't make that much sense. something would happen, and then it would be repeated in a different pov. it would be nice if it gave us new information, but it didn't, and most of the time they were straight up useless. i also think that the chapters describing how the victims die are unecessary: after the first ones, they were all pretty similar and we didn't need to read whole chapters dedicated to it.
the characters were also something. at the beginning, i was curious to see the role of each friend in the group, but then i noticed that they were all the same. i think they could each have more perks and, for example, different ways of talking, so that they could show different personalities.
related to that, one aspect i couldn't help but notice was this phrasal structure:
"Thank you for making them, hell, for the entire breakfast." "Hell, they would bring her salmon treats.” "“Hell, count Joesy and Frank in that excitement too.”. It was too much and it seems like all the characters think the same way.
finally, there were inaccuracies that stood out to me while reading. sometimes, a character would mention a previous dialogue and talk about something that didn't happen. that, and some typos or words that were simply misused. besides that, i felt like the search could have been better: sometimes, the medical examiners would ignore or simply didn't notice aspects that were obvious and helpful, which was kind of unrealistic. i also didn't quite understand maximus' abrupt change: we are led to see him as a smart and careful man, but his final actions with maryanne seem completely out of character.
anyways. apart from all this, i think this book had quite a lot of potential. the villain was interesting and kept me curious enough to keep on reading. unfortunately, the rest didn't particularly captivate me.
(got the book in exchange for an honest review)
May 10, 2024
Thank you to author Marjorie Townsend for sending this book to me in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a murder mystery following the story of a narcissistic killer with a fetish for drowning women and the police chase to pin him down. It is the fourth book in the Madison Series but can be read as a standalone, which I did. It is told from the POVs of both the murderer and detectives in the story and alternates between past and present.
Unfortunately, I did not really enjoy reading this book, as the writing felt a bit off. It was cumbersome to read and the tenses kept changing mid-chapter. It was also getting too long at a point, with information that did not really contribute to the entire story.
I, however, liked the fact that the villain’s POV was added so we could see his thought processes as he was committing the crimes and being interrogated by the police, which is not something you see in a lot of books.
For some reason, I felt disconnected from most of the main characters and that did not really improve my reading experience or understanding of the book.
I’ll rate this book, based on my experience, a 2.5 star (5/10)
The storyline was good, except for a few plot holes and ends that did not tie up. I, however, didn't expect the ending, but that's the whole point of thrillers, lol. It has a lot of potential though, and I can’t wait to read the other books Marjorie writes.
I’ll recommend this book if you are looking for an easy murder mystery with very basic wording.
This book is a murder mystery following the story of a narcissistic killer with a fetish for drowning women and the police chase to pin him down. It is the fourth book in the Madison Series but can be read as a standalone, which I did. It is told from the POVs of both the murderer and detectives in the story and alternates between past and present.
Unfortunately, I did not really enjoy reading this book, as the writing felt a bit off. It was cumbersome to read and the tenses kept changing mid-chapter. It was also getting too long at a point, with information that did not really contribute to the entire story.
I, however, liked the fact that the villain’s POV was added so we could see his thought processes as he was committing the crimes and being interrogated by the police, which is not something you see in a lot of books.
For some reason, I felt disconnected from most of the main characters and that did not really improve my reading experience or understanding of the book.
I’ll rate this book, based on my experience, a 2.5 star (5/10)
The storyline was good, except for a few plot holes and ends that did not tie up. I, however, didn't expect the ending, but that's the whole point of thrillers, lol. It has a lot of potential though, and I can’t wait to read the other books Marjorie writes.
I’ll recommend this book if you are looking for an easy murder mystery with very basic wording.
July 23, 2024
Based upon two books by author Marjorie Townsend, there is a winning formula for detective novels or murder mysteries. The perpetrator of the murders is pure evil, demonstrates no compassion for his victims, and his killings have little justification. The victims are largely randomly selected. There are elements to his background (childhood teasing, parental neglect, etc) that might lead a person to random acts of violence, but finding satisfaction in inflicting grisly murders? No, the character is evil personified. Meanwhile, the detectives/police that track the killer have fully developed private lives, with relationships and personal problems. The murderer is more one-dimensional, but the good guys have many facets to their lives. The format of the stories is also formulaic. The chapters are labeled based upon principal characters. In this book, for example, Madison has chapters, Mike has chapters, Nacho has chapters. Except for what in the end will happen to the main characters, including the murderer, the story isn't really a classic mystery. The murderer is revealed almost at the start.
The long and the short of it is this - if you like books in which you know who the bad guy is and you wish to follow the detectives as they use their expertise to discover what you already know, then this is the book for you. I can see detective enthusiasts sunning themselves on the beach this summer and sharing this story with friends and acquaintances.
The long and the short of it is this - if you like books in which you know who the bad guy is and you wish to follow the detectives as they use their expertise to discover what you already know, then this is the book for you. I can see detective enthusiasts sunning themselves on the beach this summer and sharing this story with friends and acquaintances.
December 5, 2023
Marjorie Townsend had become one of favorite authors, I pick a book written by her without hesitation. Detective Madison Phillips and her partner Joesy are the main characters of the series, are always focused when resolving crimes and don't dismiss any details before investigating for a possible homicide.
The story starts in Panama city, as the Legal coroner suspect that recent drownings were suspicious and shared her suspicions with the detective Mike who is a friend with the two detectives. When Madison and Joesy arrived in Panama city to attend Mike's wedding, he shared his thoughts when them and asked if they can help him solve this case, which they instantly agreed to. Upon review all drowning cases in the area the team found common similarities that their made them all agree that a serial killer is active in the city and they became determined to resolve the case before Mikes wedding.
I enjoyed the characters, and I love the way the author tells the story through our heroes, the villains and the victims of the novel. Going inside a villain's head is somewhat scary, especially MARYANNE she is top evil and my favorite so far in the series. The cat Cinder is a fun addition to the novel.
I recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good mystery novel and I cannot wait for Marjorie Townsend next novel.
The story starts in Panama city, as the Legal coroner suspect that recent drownings were suspicious and shared her suspicions with the detective Mike who is a friend with the two detectives. When Madison and Joesy arrived in Panama city to attend Mike's wedding, he shared his thoughts when them and asked if they can help him solve this case, which they instantly agreed to. Upon review all drowning cases in the area the team found common similarities that their made them all agree that a serial killer is active in the city and they became determined to resolve the case before Mikes wedding.
I enjoyed the characters, and I love the way the author tells the story through our heroes, the villains and the victims of the novel. Going inside a villain's head is somewhat scary, especially MARYANNE she is top evil and my favorite so far in the series. The cat Cinder is a fun addition to the novel.
I recommend this novel to anyone looking for a good mystery novel and I cannot wait for Marjorie Townsend next novel.
April 18, 2024
Where do I begin?
Maximus a sweet lover boy when he isn’t a murderer had also been fascinated by how the human body works to the point of drowning. This curiosity led to the pathway for his unquenchable hunger. Each kill he makes energies him for the next. Well, things turned out not okay when Mike invited his detective friends Madison and Joesy to his wedding.
The book was a bit overstretched. Maddison and Lou's relationship was understandable knowing they were in their honeymoon era.
A few things worthy of note are:
1. Maximus' charm was too good. There wasn’t a physical description of him so there was nothing to imagine minus his charm and eloquence.
2. Madison and the rest detective jokes, conversations, and delays were unnecessarily long, making the book stale.
3. The perfection of Maryanne finding out, planning, and eventually the death of Maximus was too easy.
A conversation that got me thinking about life in general and it’s “ She added that one time when she arrested a young woman who had a lot to drink, the woman begged her to not call her mother. This young lady preferred to be in jail than having to tell her parents what she was charged with”.
It shows nothing but the truth. How youth would rather bare the consequences of any action than tell their parents or “bring shame to their parents”.
I love the way the book shows how insignificant anyone can be. How the world moves on when you are dead, how even your killer wouldn’t care a bit about you and your works and achievements to show a little mercy.
It also shows how fickle life can be.
I’m not going to lie I love the book. I love how it shows that at the end of the day, even the worst of us still need someone they can share their secrets with. Beyond the murder, chit-chat, and drinks, I think we need someone like Ashley in our lives. Someone innocent, and normal, and makes us feel like an actual person without our titles, power, and fame.
I recommend this book for those who love murders and a good chase.
Maximus a sweet lover boy when he isn’t a murderer had also been fascinated by how the human body works to the point of drowning. This curiosity led to the pathway for his unquenchable hunger. Each kill he makes energies him for the next. Well, things turned out not okay when Mike invited his detective friends Madison and Joesy to his wedding.
The book was a bit overstretched. Maddison and Lou's relationship was understandable knowing they were in their honeymoon era.
A few things worthy of note are:
1. Maximus' charm was too good. There wasn’t a physical description of him so there was nothing to imagine minus his charm and eloquence.
2. Madison and the rest detective jokes, conversations, and delays were unnecessarily long, making the book stale.
3. The perfection of Maryanne finding out, planning, and eventually the death of Maximus was too easy.
A conversation that got me thinking about life in general and it’s “ She added that one time when she arrested a young woman who had a lot to drink, the woman begged her to not call her mother. This young lady preferred to be in jail than having to tell her parents what she was charged with”.
It shows nothing but the truth. How youth would rather bare the consequences of any action than tell their parents or “bring shame to their parents”.
I love the way the book shows how insignificant anyone can be. How the world moves on when you are dead, how even your killer wouldn’t care a bit about you and your works and achievements to show a little mercy.
It also shows how fickle life can be.
I’m not going to lie I love the book. I love how it shows that at the end of the day, even the worst of us still need someone they can share their secrets with. Beyond the murder, chit-chat, and drinks, I think we need someone like Ashley in our lives. Someone innocent, and normal, and makes us feel like an actual person without our titles, power, and fame.
I recommend this book for those who love murders and a good chase.
September 17, 2023
BOOK:-THE EBB OF MURDER BY MAJORIE TOWNSEND
BOOK REVIEWER -OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE
A Continuation of the Madison series,it is a fiction on the investigation of a drug (the rug-gang with gang pronounced ga-n-g for go-nigeria/in you).The author makes a high use of symbolism and imagery to capture events of detecting if a crime was homicide or otherwise looking at the role of the medical examiner and detective.This creative piece discusses death or depth by sex as a drowning in water induced murder raising questions of sexual consent.It looks at sex inside water and the possibility of a thrust or getting stuck as well as draws attention to probing into partners past through games.It raises questions on what is meant by contamination of crime scene in the circumstances;electronic shopping and being futuristic about it;getting accustomed to delegating things;revenge and retributive Justice while looking at the female as a fish having sex in water and sometimes resulting head injury caused deaths.It encourages team work of accompany movies(muu-ve's for go victory with muu as go in ijaw language southern Nigeria) and beer while watching(war-CHA-in).It is basically a book on forensic crime detecting.
BOOK REVIEWER -OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE
A Continuation of the Madison series,it is a fiction on the investigation of a drug (the rug-gang with gang pronounced ga-n-g for go-nigeria/in you).The author makes a high use of symbolism and imagery to capture events of detecting if a crime was homicide or otherwise looking at the role of the medical examiner and detective.This creative piece discusses death or depth by sex as a drowning in water induced murder raising questions of sexual consent.It looks at sex inside water and the possibility of a thrust or getting stuck as well as draws attention to probing into partners past through games.It raises questions on what is meant by contamination of crime scene in the circumstances;electronic shopping and being futuristic about it;getting accustomed to delegating things;revenge and retributive Justice while looking at the female as a fish having sex in water and sometimes resulting head injury caused deaths.It encourages team work of accompany movies(muu-ve's for go victory with muu as go in ijaw language southern Nigeria) and beer while watching(war-CHA-in).It is basically a book on forensic crime detecting.
April 21, 2025
The Ebb of Murder by Marjorie Townsend is a quiet, atmospheric mystery that slowly pulls you in with its moody coastal setting and emotionally complex characters. Rather than relying on fast-paced action or dramatic twists, the story unfolds with a steady, deliberate rhythm, like waves gradually revealing what lies beneath the surface. Townsend’s writing has a subtle elegance and her focus on internal struggles and hidden motives gives the narrative a reflective, almost melancholic tone. While the pace may feel slow for some, it allows space for character development and emotional weight, making the mystery feel more intimate and human. There are moments where I wished for sharper tension or more immediate stakes, but the lingering sense of unease and the vivid imagery carried me through. It’s a book best read with patience, allowing yourself to drift into its world and appreciate the quiet unraveling of secrets. Not a typical thriller, but a thoughtful exploration of guilt, memory and the tides of consequence.
October 12, 2025
The Ebb of Murder surprised me in a good way. It starts quietly, but there’s this slow, steady pull that keeps you reading. The atmosphere feels tense without being overdone, and I liked how the author let the story breathe instead of rushing into the twists. The characters especially Madison felt real, flawed, and easy to connect with.
The mystery itself is layered enough to stay interesting, and even when I guessed a few turns, it didn’t ruin the experience. The writing has this calm, confident tone that makes you trust the storyteller. A few scenes could’ve been tighter, but overall, it’s a well-paced, satisfying read. I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author.
The mystery itself is layered enough to stay interesting, and even when I guessed a few turns, it didn’t ruin the experience. The writing has this calm, confident tone that makes you trust the storyteller. A few scenes could’ve been tighter, but overall, it’s a well-paced, satisfying read. I’ll definitely be picking up more from this author.
August 18, 2023
I really like the character design and build up. It made me not want to stop reading for sure. However, sometimes the chapters end in a cliff hanger for just one character arc and then by the time we get back around to that character, it takes me a minute to remember where we left off. All in all, this is a really fast read and I’m happy with the end result! That Maximus has way too much narcissism and it was getting a bit old.
May 19, 2024
The Ebb Of Murder was a wild ride from beginning to end. I did not see this ending coming. Maximus, the malignant narcissist, wasn't as smart as he thought he was. I don't want to give too much away. He should have gone and checked when he heard the twig popped. That was his arrogance for not checking. The character development was amazing. I understand the title. Please read the book you won't be disappointed.
October 31, 2023
The detective and her partener needed a vacation. At the same time there is a friends wedding. Guess what happens.. at the location of wedding which is taking place at a beach there is drowning deaths.. the detective can't take the vacation now! She has to find a serial killer.. with the help of her husband..
Some points I felt a bit too convincing but overall a very good read..
Some points I felt a bit too convincing but overall a very good read..
September 20, 2023
Interesting storyline and sweet blend of suspense and humor. I love how the writer includes the victims' POV. Ann was my favourite character. Anyone that has read the book will know why but I wouldn't want to put any spoilers for future readers ;). I'd recommend this book for young adults and older adults as it may be too intense for children. There's nothing of significance that I disliked about the book. I enjoyed it!
September 15, 2023
I really enjoyed the book and the suspense. I was always looking forward to reading the next chapter. The plot twist was crazy. I liked Nacho and the fact that he wanted to get a decent job because he was starting a family. Some parts of the book felt too long. I’ll definitely recommend this book for teens and adults to read. It was definitely a good read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews