Dead Man's Float

by Beth Sherman

Book Overview

Anne Hardaway is a reluctant expert on house-cleaning, horticulture, and pet care, who specializes in making some of the country's most famous how-to writers look good in print. But when her long-ago... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038073107X
• ISBN13: 9780380731077
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

An entertaining mystery

Beth Sherman's Dead Man's Float is a simple, realistic, and entertaining mystery. The book begins with a little about Tigger Mills life and explains that he was a risk taker. Also explained is how a fire killed a little girl Ruthie and that Tigger may have started the fire. Tigger is never found guilty but leaves New Jersey. Anne, the main character, is talked about in the beginning and how she had a crush on Tigger. Well when twenty years go by and Tigger comes back, Anne starts having a crush on him all over again. After having dinner the next morning Tigger is found dead and suicide is suspected. Anne seems to be the only person that thinks otherwise until she meets Tigger's brother, Jack. Anne and Jack then try to figure who killed Tigger and if his murder is connected to the fire. Anne is a character that readers can relate to because she has had hard times in her life. She's lost a loved one, her love life has been a little off, and she tries to live in a town where people still know her as the "crazy lady's daughter." The mystery of who killed Tigger is interesting and compelling, since a lot of people don't mind that he is dead. The book has two mysteries in one and it makes you think and try to connect it all. It's a good mixture of slight humor, mystery, and romance. Also the mixture of characters and their personalities can make you easily connect them with someone you may know. All in all this book is a can't stop reading type book.

Tight plotting keeps you turning pages

Anne Hardaway is shocked to see Tigger Mills has returned to her home town of Oceanside Heights, New Jersey. No one's seen him since the summer 20 years ago when he was accused of burning down a hotel and killing a little girl in the process. Attitudes in the town haven't changed, and Anne is one of the few people willing to talk to Tigger. When he confides that he's received a death threat, Anne thinks little of it. But the next morning, he's found floating in the surf. Teaming up with Tigger's brother Jack, she sets out to find who killed her friend. But the truth will take her into secrets she never suspected her neighbors were hiding. Can she sort through them all and learn the truth?I thoroughly enjoyed this series debut. The resort town setting is fun and the characters are intriguing. I especially liked the two leads, and it was easy to feel sympathetic for them. What stood out most to me was the plot, however. The surprises never let up and keep you guessing. I was glued to the book, trying to figure out how everything fit together.I will definitely be booking more time with Anne in Oceanside Heights. This series is a great way to spend a few hours relaxing at the beach, or anywhere else for that matter.

terrific new series . . .

Oh, I do like Anne Hardaway! In her mid-thirties, struggling with life, trying to earn an honest living, she's everywoman, rolled into one. Shy, insecure yet tough when she needs to be, Anne lives in the small oceanside town in which she was born, and has always lived. This is both good and bad. The good part is that she knows everyone and they know her.The bad part is that she knows everyone and they know her.Nearly twenty years earlier -- the summer Annie graduated from high school, and the country celebrated it's Bi-Centennial -- a tragedy occurred in Oceanside Heights. A little girl died in a fire that destroyed an old hotel. The town's pre-eminent 'bad boy' was suspected, but before anything could really be proved--for or against-- Tigger Mills left town, never to return. Until this year. Drawn to him as she had been all those years earlier, Anne has a brief encounter with Tigger, and the promise of more to come -- but the promise will be unfulfilled, as Tigger drowns early the next morning. His half-brother Jack comes home from New York City to find out what happened. Various elements of small-town life take their turn on center stage: the religious campground aura that defines Oceanside Heights; renewing acquaintances with former school-mates, some of whom would rather stay distant; getting to know Jack and his new life; and over all, families then and now, and the many secrets buried and thought dead only to have them come to life again. I loved this book. I love Ann Hardaway as a character, and will go search out books two and three in the series. The first two that I've read have been well written, with wonderful characterization (both the goodies and the baddies are fully realized), and the setting is marvelous. Reading one of these Jersey Shore Mysteries is almost as good as a week spent on the beach. Try one for yourself--I think you'll agree!

Great Beach Reading!

This is a great mystery novel that will keep you guessing right up until the end. The main character is very likable and the story moves quickly. A great relaxing summer read.

Goo dwho-done-it

In Oceanside, New Jersey, Ann Hardaway is the ghost writer on several popular household guide books. Though she makes her living making other people's "How To Do" books look good, thirty-something Ann is bored to tears in her clean living small town. She thinks things might pick up when the guy she lusted over in high school, Tigger Mills, returns after a two decade absence. Twenty years ago, Tigger left town after everyone, except Ann, thought he killed a young girl during an act of arson. However, Tigger drowns under very suspicious circumstances. Once again, Ann is the odd duck as every other one of the 702 residents believe Tigger committed suicide. Ann thinks a murder occurred. Armed with her knowledge of housekeeping, and the ins and outs of each and every home in the area, Anne begins to investigate. DEAD MAN'S FLOAT is a unique amateur sleuth novel due to the insertion as part of the story line of some interesting housekeeping tips in each chapter. Ann is an interesting character and the Jersey shore is always fun to visit. Fans of culinary mysteries will enjoy this sister tale lovingly written by Beth Sherman, who uses her expertise as home beautification specialist to perhaps start a new sub-genre.Harriet Klausner