Beneath the Dune by Walter Ramsay

Tucker Lee Anderson’s boss needs him to check out a story over on the beachside. Not earth- shattering, it’s more of a follow up to the Ed Ventara case, he says. When Anderson, a staff reporter for a local Southern newspaper hears this, a red light goes off in his head. But wait, wasn’t Ventara the serial killer convicted of killing five children, even though they only found four bodies a few years back? Following the discovery of a child’s skeleton, what at first appears to be a straightforward case of suspected murder is anything but, when Anderson finds himself not only investigating the case, but also dabbling in ancestral research. This laid-back divorced dad’s ordinary life soon takes a turn when in the process, he soon discovers family ties that bind him to both the present and the past—but what does this have to do with the child? Set in the Central Florida community of Brevard County, Beneath the Dune features an interesting cast of characters, and what Anderson uncovers is bound to shock a few upper class residents to the core. Steeped in suspense and blended with humor, the book has all the ingredients necessary for the making of mystery that is sure to hold you in its grip to the very end.

Good Reads Summary

A highly recommended read, this novel will provide a reader with entertainment for a good couple of hours.  The plot itself isn't spectacular, the main character is contacted by a ghost asking him to right a past wrong; however, the main character's mannerisms and witticisms pulled this novel together.  The main character has to deal with his "evil" ex wife, an impatient ghost, a disturbing skeleton, his own slightly chaotic life, etc...
 
The novel is set in a Central Florida community of Brevard County.  The author actually utilizes this setting in his novel-a rarity when the setting is addressed.  He has the main character acknowledge the heat and a radio show announcer state that it is "another beautiful morning on the Space Coast!"  Incidentally, the balmy, wet weather creates the perfect scenario for the main character's grisly discovery. 

The author crafts a good tail.  The reader will be hooked in the first few chapters.  The action does not take long to start and the main character is entertaining by himself in the meantime.  There are plenty of humorous, scary, serious, and ironic scenes in the novel.  A reader will enjoy the variety.  This novel was very well-written and is recommended for adult/young adult readers who enjoy a good mystery.

5 Stars