Book Review: The Deep End by Julie Mulhern

Swimming into the lifeless body of her husband’s mistress tends to ruin a woman’s day, but becoming a murder suspect can ruin her whole life. 

It’s 1974 and Ellison Russell’s life revolves around her daughter and her art. She’s long since stopped caring about her cheating husband, Henry, and the women with whom he entertains himself. That is, until she becomes a suspect in Madeline Harper’s death. The murder forces Ellison to confront her husband’s proclivities and his crimes—kinky sex, petty cruelties and blackmail. 

As the body count approaches par on the seventh hole, Ellison knows she has to catch a killer. But with an interfering mother, an adoring father, a teenage daughter, and a cadre of well-meaning friends demanding her attention, can Ellison find the killer before he finds her?[summary via Amazon]

The Deep End is the first book in the Country Club Murders, and if this first one is any indicator I'm going to want to read every single one in this series - and fast.

I absolutely soaked up this first story. I was hooked from the first page, and didn't want to put it down until I turned the last page. I then hurried to the library to pick up books 2, 3 and 4. Yes, I am well and truly hooked!!

What made it so great? Julie Mulhern tells a fantastic story, with intriguing characters and well... it was just awesome. Set in 1974, it isn't quite historical, but neither is it modern day, and it has a great edge to it. It still fits within the cozy mystery genre, but features blackmail among the country club elite, and it was absolutely addictive reading.

I really liked Ellison. She's not like other characters I've come across. While she is married to an absolute horrid man, it was nice to see her develop a back bone and see what she needs to change to make her life - and her daughter's life - better. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Ellison's adventures, and seeing what her new life will entail.

If you haven't picked up the Country Club Murders today, you really should - and while you're there grab all the book in the series, because you're going to want to read them all!