I recently read Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols. This murder mystery surrounds a small town that is shocked to find a young person not only murdered but on display in a historic area. Not only does the story deal with the hunt for a killer, but how people react to danger; how parents protect their children and many other topics. The author's multifaceted approach to storytelling makes the plot much more than a plain old mystery. It is dark, brooding and leaves you with that uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach. The writing is excellent. While getting his point across, the author does not overly describe anything, allowing the pacing to flow. The characters are human and likeable. The dialog is so natural you'll forget you're reading. Actually living in a historic area that experienced a serial killer, this book hit close to home. Peter Nichols is a new author for me, but I suspect he could make a cereal box interesting. I'm going to read more from him.