This book started off on the wrong foot for me. Ruth, the main character, had a self esteem/body image issue. Her perspective about her weight used really dated language and felt like unpolished writing, a stereotype of how a slightly larger woman may feel. It reminded me of the 90s and the way the male gaze influenced women’s beauty standards.
I generally like cozy mysteries and who dun it’s and this one was pretty standard fare. Interesting concept, good tension throughout the book, and the right number of twists and turns. I enjoyed the grizzled cop, but didn’t enjoy the relationship between them. It escalated when she was vulnerable and she didn’t really seem to have strong feelings either way, before or after. I found Ruth really wishy-washy, in her romantic, professional and family life.
I’ve read a lot of really well written books that tackle the problematic male gaze, body image issues, women’s sexuality deftly and this one isn’t one of them. I’ve heard that the first book is a rough start to the series, I’m hoping the rest of the series has a little more polish.
Highlights:
– UK Setting, “Northerners”
– Good references to mythology
– Great atmosphere, the salt marshes felt alive
Lowlights:
– Poor handling of body image issues
– Slow slow pacing
– The book felt like the colour beige, a bit bland
