A mystery novel set on Cape Cod has earned favorable reviews. The Drowning River by Kim Byrne, a debut novelist, was released in hardcover on June 17, 2009, by Five Star, an imprint of Gale, part of Cengage Learning (ISBN 13: 9781594147692).
The Drowning River is about a graduate student, Elise Moloney, who arrives on campus and discovers she’s a dead ringer for Hannah McPhee, a woman who died last year. Elise becomes obsessed with Hannah and the mystery surrounding her death. But the more she explores Hannah’s past, the more she loses herself in a labyrinth of deceit, betrayal, and danger, unearthing life-shattering secrets. With each discovery, Elise comes closer to the truth and a confrontation with a killer.
Kirkus calls it “a debut with romance, thrills, chills, red herrings and a surprise ending.”
Jani Brooks of Romance Reviews Today says, “The Drowning River, a debut novel for Kim Byrne, is a gripping, emotion-packed tale of betrayal, greed, and secrets. From the intriguing prologue to the hang-onto-your-hats suspenseful conclusion, this story grabbed me and kept me reading late into the night. With touches of humor, great character development, and a host of possible suspects, The Drowning River is one terrific mystery. This is a great start for a very promising author.”
The Mystery Gazette says, “Although the killer will be quite a shocker, the culprit makes sense providing complete closure to the story line. Fans will enjoy this entertaining Massachusetts cozy.”
And New York Times bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Toni L.P. Kelner says, “Kim Byrne navigates treacherous currents of family skeletons, lovers’ secrets, and hidden motives in this suspenseful mystery, and brings it ashore with an exciting conclusion. When you dive into The Drowning River, you won’t want to come up for air.”
More information on the novel is available at Byrne’s website, www.kimbyrne.net .
