In the Dismal Swamp

By Patrick Balester

When Greg Parnell returns to Great Bridge, Virginia, he's hoping for a little quiet time after an adrenaline-packed undercover operation with the Fish and Wildlife Department. He is quickly disappointed when a dead body turns up floating in the Great Dismal Swamp. And this is not just any dead body. Ashley Myrtle was the wife of a prominent local politician. Greg soon discovers that Ashley, an apparent drowning victim, may have been murdered. Unfortunately, no one wants to believe him. The mayor, the woman's husband, an old boyfriend and even her coworkers seem eager to rule her death an accidental drowning. With help from a reluctant FBI agent, Greg follows a trail of small town secrets and lies to discover what really happened on that cold spring day. Refusing to give up, he discovers a vital clue deep in the swamp that leads to the killer. But justice won't be served until he can prove it was a case of murder.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803498993
• ISBN13: 9780803498990
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
• Length: 265 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.3" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Delightful!

I am not a mystery fan for the most part, but I have to say, this book is a delight threaded with humor and that old "Dick Tracy" feel!! The characters are full and real. I enjoyed getting to know them yet,they were not overly predictable. The descriptions of the Dismal Swamp were realistic enough for me to want to go visit it. It is an entertaining story. I loved it and I am looking forward to Mr. Balester's next novel!!!

A good read

I am not normally a big reader of mysteries, but this one kept me engaged because of its characters and setting, as well as a clever little surprise at the end. The main character, Greg, who hails from my hometown of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was tough, but vulnerable enough to be interesting, and his relationship with an older FBI man provided some good dialogue. The Dismal Swamp is in a sense a character in the novel, and after reading it I'd really like to visit. The local references and the references to Northeastern Pennsylvania will be of special interest to some readers. Also a good read for the green crowd.