Whale Fall by Ann Lambert ~ a Review

by MK French

Marie Russell and Detective Roméo Leduc are finally getting married, but Marie's first love Magnus Sørenson arrives. He's a renowned eco-warrior with plans for a dramatic environmental protest. Roméo and Marie abandon their honeymoon to catch a killer who was at that protest, unearthing long-buried secrets. In this book, love, vengeance, and climate justice go hand in hand.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

September 2022; Second Story Press; 978-1772602685
print (344 pages); mystery

Whale Fall is the third Russell and Leduc mystery, following The Dogs of Winter (my review here). I still like the fact that these characters are older, with established histories before they met each other, and the subtle give and take between them because of it. Their children give them away and Marie's daughter officiates the wedding, blending their families and histories. This also gives a chance for new readers to come in and get to know characters even if you haven't read the first two books. Intercut with the wedding and reception are flashes of meetings regarding a hotel building project, Magnus' latest fling, and his longtime partner, with hints of a larger problem before the protest.

As with the prior book, we have a lot of attention to detail, relationships, and past history. It unfolds slowly, pulling us along with Roméo as he investigates the murder and the other incidents that occur and potentially distract him. By listening to the stories of all the characters and piecing together the connections between them, Roméo and Marie eventually figure out what happened. The second half of the book moves much faster because of this, and everything is revealed. Not everything is solved, as the local issues between those who want to cut down the forest and those who want to protect it remain in place, but we do have a sense of closure and hope that a resolution can be reached within the town.

Buy Whale Fall at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.