The Dark and Deadly Pool (Laurel-Leaf Suspense Fiction) [School & Library Binding]

Joan Lowery Nixon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1989 | Series: Laurel-Leaf Suspense Fiction

Sixteen-year-old Mary Elizabeth's summer job at an expensive health club turns out to be more exciting than she bargained for when a series of mysterious events culminate in murder.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mary Elizabeth's summer job at the health club of a ritzy hotel would be just about perfectexcept for a series of eerie incidents that occur when she is alone by the pool at night. Convinced they are related to a series of robberies plaguing the hotel and its guests, she tries to figure out the linka mission of increasing urgency once she discovers a corpse in the pool. By the end of the story, Mary Elizabeth has exposed a circle of thieves headed by her own boss, a group said to have links to organized crime. This is a moderately suspenseful mystery, rounded out with touches of humor and romance, but not one of Nixon's best. There are too many glitches in the complicated plot for it to be fully convincing. The protagonist's foolhardy ingenuousness strains credibility: she discusses events related to the case freely, even after it seems likely an insider is involved. The relationship between the thefts and the syndicate is never really clear, and the revelation that drug deals are somehow involvedwhich would justify the otherwise inexplicable violenceis tacked-on, vague and ultimately unpersuasive. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

Liz enjoys her summer pool job at the glamorous Ridley Hotel. Until the night, a dark and lonely night, a ghasty shadow surges up from the pool. A face -- eyes wide, mouth gaping -- stares at Liz. A hand clutches at her sneaker. Then it, whatever it is, is gone.

But danger isn't. Strange things are happening at the hotel, and a shaken Liz wants to know why. But whoever is behind the trouble will stop at nothing -- even murder -- to get what he wants... --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 192 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback Books: A Division of Sanval (May 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0833531417
• ISBN-13: 978-0833531414
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,966,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was greaT! Readers of all agesd will enjoy it., May 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dark and Deadly Pool (Laurel-Leaf Suspense Fiction) (Paperback)

The Dark and Deadly Pool by Joan lowery is a very mysterious book. Liz is an awkward teenager seeking love and acceptance from her school and peers. One summer she decided to take a job. Her mom always told her, it was the perfect job who had grown too tall too fast. Sjhe would be working at the luxirous Ridely Hotel. She will be working in the health club. She has to clean the jacuzzi, watch the swimming pool through the office and lock up at closing time. She will be working five days a week from three in the afternoon till closing.It was a great job and Liz loved it. She was meeting new people and having fun. Liz is always uneasy at closing time. Every sound echoes and all lights cast eerie shadows. One night she is by the pool and sommeone grabs her foot and screams in her face. Then it slides beneath the pool and is gone. The security guard refuses to help Liz and goes about his business. Danger surrounds Liz. Someone is watching her. Thank heaven Liz meet a faithful friend. Fran is four inches shoter then her, but no less funny, romantic, or smart. He makes her feel safe. Whoever is behind the series of events at the pool scene must be someone Liz knows. A person who stop for nothing-even murder.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a really good book!, August 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dark and Deadly Pool (Laurel-Leaf Suspense Fiction) (Paperback)

I've just started to read a lot of Joan Lowrey Nixon books, and this one is my favorite one so far. Her mysteries aren't too hard to figure out most of the time, and this one is no exception, but I love the main characters, Liz and Fran. They have so much personality I feel as if they could be my best friends. The dialogue between them is always funny, and even though this story is kind of lacking in the mystery and suspense area, it's still a great book. If you want a good mystery book or suspense book by this author try "The Seance", "The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore", or "Wispers From the Dead"

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great for young teens, July 11, 2006

By 

A. Edwards "mystery junkie" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dark and Deadly Pool (Paperback)

i read this book with high expectations since i had previously read the weekend was murder(which i believe to be Nixon's best book). i must say it lived up to those expectations. Nixon is a great writer and her mysteries, although a little cheesy, are fun. i love her light romance. It's never too over the top. this book is great for younger teens because it is somewhat cheesy.It's not her best, but in my mind nothing tops the weekend was murder which also follows the life of Liz. I absolutely loved Fran... corky and sweet...this book is a great read.