Plot Summary
The Bluff by Bonnie Traymore bases it’s plot in the town of Crest Lake on Lake Michigan. The shoreline houses are facing a threat from the crumbling bluff on which they are situated. And the owners are divided in their opinion on how to save their houses.
The main characters of the book are Kate Breslow (Sullivan), Claudia Mitchell, Ryan Breslow, Dough Mitchell, Margaret Brenner, Daisy Parker and the investigating team – Travis Whittaker, Sloane Davis & Chief Thompson. Kate & Claudia live two houses apart and have opposing views on the issue. While Kate lost her husband Ryan a year ago under mysterious circumstances, Dough Mitchell is killed right before the vote on the issue. And there begins the whodunnit case (actually two cases – Ryan & Doug)
Verdict
The things that work for Bonnie Traymore’s The Bluff are it’s fast pace & readability. The plot slowly gains your interest and before you know, you are turning pages to know what happens next. The book makes for an easy read with diligent characterizations and fine handling of the sub plots, not letting one confuse with the others. The two cops make a great team, and I wish to see more of them!
There are a couple of spooky characters, so to speak, which keep popping up from time to time. Which brings us to the main point – the suspense. The character of Daisy Parker in particular amused me the most (you’ll have to read the book to know why). Having read and watched so many thrillers and mysteries, I thing the reader these days is pretty good at guessing correctly the murderer. It usually comes down to the one who is least expected, isn’t it? And without dropping any hints, you could clearly see Traymore trying to keep the criminal here away from limelight. The authors need to guard their suspense better now and really need to think of new ways to startle the reader!
That said, the end to me was a pleasant surprise – both the parts on Margaret & the Mitchells. It was a nice touch from Bonnie Traymore and I liked it. It ends the book on a high.
To sum it up, The Bluff makes for a nice read for thriller fans. It is not your spine chilling, on the edge sort of read. But a good, one time, lazy read.
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See more from Bonnie Traymore here