The Bottom Line: An intense, irresistible small town murder mystery that crackles with twists.
WhenĀ YouĀ LeaveĀ MeĀ dangles its delicious first clue in the opening sentence: a shoe containing a human foot, one of several that have washed ashore on the San Juan Islands over the past year. Does it belong to Larry Michaels, whose footless body was found months earlier?Ā
Susan Wingateās fifth Friday Harbor novel – which works well as a stand-alone entry – is told in part by Larryās much-younger widow, Jamie. In the early going, readers will love determining whether Jamie is a reliable narrator. She talks about his dementia, their financial situation and the way Larryās kids cut her off after Larryās disappearance because, as she says, āthey both thought Iād done something.ā Adding to the intrigue, Jamie is an insurance claims adjuster and investigator.
But Jamie is hardly the most interesting character in Wingateās cast. Jamieās best friend, Liv, is writing a crime thriller set on the island. The pair bonded when Liv came to Jamie while doing research for her story. The relationship is palpable, as Wingateās sleuth, Detective Sergeant Rob Rimmler, notes: āyou two seem really close.ā
Then thereās Afon Daniels, a successful orthopedic surgeon who moved to the island to retire at the still-spry 58-years-old. Afon waits a mere three months before he starts moving in on Jamie. Everything about Afonās behavior on the island perfectly captures what happens when a city slicker adjusts to small town life, from the way he shows up looking āsexyā to book club to the way he pans the local restaurant.
Is there a serial killer at work, or is this just a goodĀ old-fashioned small-townĀ murder mystery? Letās just say that Larry wonāt be the bookāsĀ lastĀ murder victim.Ā WingateĀ deftly unleashes several surprises in the bookās final thirds, but readers wonāt have to wait long, as the fast-paced WhenĀ YouĀ LeaveĀ MeĀ can be easily devouredĀ onĀ a coast-to-coast flight.
