Book Review: Reese's Leap by Darcy Scott

"Brit said they come out here every year - same women, same week in July."

Good old Brit. "I wouldn't know." Nor do I care. Once around with this shit's more than enough for me; besides, I desperately need to keep the sun from hitting my retinas just now. Shades, I think. I pat my pockets.

"Earl was killed the week they were here. July 21st."

My comments: Botanist Gil and his pal David Duggan think they are invited to an all women's week-long party on Mistake Island, Maine, but find themselves unwelcome guests when they arrive on the island. The five women at the party really want to be alone to enjoy the beauty and quiet and seclusion of the heavily forested island. Heavy fog, sabotage and other strange events prevent the two men from leaving the island, and they stay to protect the women when unusual occurrences and a strange man intrudes to threaten the group.

Intense in parts, bucolic in others when Gil wanders the island, appreciating its beauty and uniqueness, the story becomes quite suspenseful as events spin out of control for the women, who don't know the reason for being targeted by the strange intruder.

A good plot, though just slightly improbable in parts, fuels the novel, as do the descriptions of the island and the history of Malaga Island. Malaga is a real island off the Maine coast which was once inhabited by a mixed-race community that was forced to leave the island in the early 20th century.

I am curious about the first in the series, Matinicus, and the third that will soon be published, Ragged Island. For more reviews, see the tour schedule at Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

Title: Reese's Leap: An Island Mystery by Darcy Scott
Published by: Maine Authors Publishing, March 23, 2013
Source: review copy from author
Objective review: 4/5

DARCY SCOTT is a live-aboard sailor and experienced ocean cruiser who’s sailed to Grenada and island-hopped through the Caribbean. Her favorite cruising ground remains the coast of Maine, and the history and rugged beauty of its out-islands inspires her Maine Island Mystery Series, the award-winning "Matinicus" and "Reese’s Leap." Book three, "Ragged Island," is currently in the works. Her debut novel, "Hunter Huntress," was published June 2010. Visit her at http://www.darcyscott.net or http://www.Facebook.com/Author.Darcy.Scott, and http://twitter.com/Darcy_Scott

GIVEAWAY: The author is offering an e-book copy to a reader. Please leave a comment by Sept. 18 to enter the contest.
UPDATE; Congratulations to Pat@Posting for Now, the winner of the e-book contest!