Bodies of Water

Sarah Deane Mystery #4

by J.S. Borthwick

Sarah Dean, self-described "accident crime-prone English teacher," and her boyfriend, Dr. Alex McKenzie, are longing for a vacation. No classes, students or conferences for her-no patients, beepers or night calls for Alex.
The two-week cruise aboard the "Pilgrim, "a luxury yacht owned by millionaire evangelist David Mallory, seems the perfect gateway...until one of the passengers turns up murdered...and those left on board are now both suspects and potential victims.
Could the killer be the eccentric Mallory? His stern secretary Gracie (also sister of the victim)? The voluptuous chef, Andrea Elder? Ezra, the deckhand? Or even Sarah's younger brother Tony, the other member of the crew? Sarah and Alex must find out quickly, or they could become the next victims...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

287 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

J. S. Borthwick is the pseudonym of Jean Scott Creighton. She lives on the Maine coast. She is the creator of 'Sarah Deane', a professor of English and amateur sleuth.

Series:
* Sarah Deane Mystery

Reviews

[Eugene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good solid mystery, and one that easily overcomes the reality that our “heroine” Sarah Deane is a klutz and a ditz. Good plot, good pace and a satisfying denouement all make for a quick and enjoyable read. Also enjoy the setting of these stories in Maine.

[Teressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good mystery,although it was slow at points.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mystery

[Vjera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storyline was fairly convoluted, had a hard time following it. Lots of details for sailing the Maine coast but I got lost at times. There was some character development though.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ann Recktenwald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our cast of characters from earlier books expands to include Sara Deane's brother, Tony, who is a rolling stone causing their parents to worry about his future. He signs on as a crew member on a luxury yacht, Pilgrim, and is told he can invite two people of his choice as passengers. Sarah and her boyfriend, Alex McKenzie, are invited and accept. The Pilgrim's mission is to distribute religious literature to churches on the east coast, and the captain and owner, David Mallory, has decided to expand from Florida to New England. Alex is experienced in boat handling and helps to weather a storm early on. Sarah immediately senses something is wrong about Mallory's secretary, Grace, and her half brother, Billy. She makes wild guesses as to what, and then Billy is murdered and Alex has to leave to attend his father's pacemaker installation. This leaves Sarah without a leavening influence. Her guesses and paranoia get wilder. What illegal trade is the yacht involved in, and which crew members are profiting? By the end, it takes several chapters and various law enforcement people to unravel the mystery. It was really a complex plot, and not having everyone on cellphones was very calming, although it provided some difficulties for Sarah.

[Margaret]

It was an enjoyable read, despite the fact that I figured out the murderer and scenario light years before our heroine Sarah did (lol, she seemed smart, why did it take her so long?). Loved the setting - the Maine coast is so beautiful and I have been to all the places described a couple times.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarah Deane #4

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok - sarah & alex together with the maine setting make it interesting

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book set on a yacht. Enjoyable read.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

good complex action but predictably misplaced trust

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyable but heavy handed on sailing terms.