“Granite Harbor”, a thriller by Peter Nichols, combines an intense story with details of small town life in Maine. After a teenager at the local high school is found murdered in a bizarre and grisly fashion, Detective Alex Brangwen investigates the case, with help from Isabel Dorr, the mother of one of the victim’s close friends.
There is much to like about this novel. Author Nichols captures the routine and familiarity of life in an isolated town where everybody knows everything about you. The two main characters, Alex and Isabel, are former lovers and are very likable and relatable.
One of the things that I appreciate about this book is the way the author folds in the backstory of the killer. There is quite a bit of detail showing how the killer’s life experiences shaped him and informed his actions when he committed murder. It is not pleasant, but instructive. There is a very graphic scene of animal abuse. It is integral to the plot and not at all gratuitous, but still, readers should be aware.
The story is dark, but the main characters are well drawn. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books with a small tight knit community and who doesn’t mind scenes of graphic violence.
There is much to like about this novel. Author Nichols captures the routine and familiarity of life in an isolated town where everybody knows everything about you. The two main characters, Alex and Isabel, are former lovers and are very likable and relatable.
One of the things that I appreciate about this book is the way the author folds in the backstory of the killer. There is quite a bit of detail showing how the killer’s life experiences shaped him and informed his actions when he committed murder. It is not pleasant, but instructive. There is a very graphic scene of animal abuse. It is integral to the plot and not at all gratuitous, but still, readers should be aware.
The story is dark, but the main characters are well drawn. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books with a small tight knit community and who doesn’t mind scenes of graphic violence.