Stevie‘s review of The Deep End by Ellie Hart
Contemporary Lesbian Mystery Fiction published by Bold Strokes Books 16 Apr 18
I don’t recall seeing many detective stories in which the protagonists are a long-established lesbian couple; then again, I don’t think there are many novels in which a pair of women, together for more than two decades, are perfectly content in their relationship, all the conflict coming from outside and not threatening the way they feel about each other. So this book was a breath of fresh air, even if I agree with other readers that the blurb doesn’t entirely reflect the book’s plot and themes.
Giselle is a veterinarian who has lived with her social worker partner, Marta, on the West Coast of the US ever since the pair of them graduated and began their careers. After early struggles, they’ve built up Giselle’s practice and bought the house of their dreams, as well as enjoying a social life that encompasses a varied mix of other couples. Their peace is disrupted, however, when they receive a late-night call from Giselle’s brother-in-law, reporting that neither he nor his fifteen-year-old son have seen Giselle’s younger sister since early that morning. Concerned at how out of character this behaviour seems, Giselle immediately makes plans to join the men at their home in Phoenix and do whatever she can to help reunite the family.
When Giselle arrives, she discovers that it’s not just her sister who’s been behaving oddly. Her brother-in-law seems remarkably unconcerned with looking for his wife, continuing to go into the office for long periods of the day, while his son – Giselle’s nephew – has an odd, though seemingly platonic, friendship with a girl living over the road. The teens appear to be watching overtly violent videos and to be accessing parts of the internet that stray into even dodgier areas. Once the police get involved, it soon becomes apparent that they are treating the case as a murder investigation rather than a disappearance, and the youngsters are their chief suspects.
Marta flies out to support Giselle, and this was the part of the book I really liked, over and above the main mystery plot. The pair are so settled in their relationship, even as they uncover the secrets behind Giselle’s sister’s less-than-ideal marriage, and in the face of hostility from the inhabitants of their temporary neighbourhood. I loved some of the contrasts in their attitude towards major decisions about where to take their relationship next – Marta would like a child, while Giselle is unsure – and their various excuses as to why they need to get out of the house. Never underestimate the power of ‘female problems’ to prevent men of any age asking further questions.
I figured out parts of the convoluted mystery plot, but others came as a surprise to me as well as to the characters. Although the detective story worked for me, the main part of this book that stays with me is the relationship between the women, and I would love to visit them again, with or without a crime to be solved.
Grade: B
Summary:
Local veterinarian Dr. Giselle Cutler’s world revolves around her profession, and Marta, the woman she loves. She’s confident both will always be there to support her until her cell phone rings in the middle of the night, and her once-stable world begins to spin out of control. Her sister Tiffani is missing, and all fingers point to fifteen year old Leif, Giselle’s nephew. Life as she knows it is fading fast, and with it, the security that family provides. As the true nature of each relationship is revealed, Giselle begins to doubt her ability to keep – and deserve – a lasting partnership. But Marta’s not giving up, and her support is the lifeline that keeps Giselle from toppling over the edge as they confront the dangers and dark secrets behind Tiffani’s disappearance.
Read an excerpt.
