Slipknot (Hardcover)

by Linda Greenlaw (Author) "WHY DID YOU move the body?" "The tide was coming in..." (more)
Key Phrases: net drum, steering bar, messenger bag, Green Haven, Sea Hunter, Nick Dow (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Bestseller Greenlaw introduces an indomitable heroine, Jane Bunker, in her strong mystery debut, which finds the former Dade County, Fla., chief detective seeking her roots and a slower pace of life in her coastal childhood hometown of Green Haven, Maine. Starting over as a marine investigator for an insurance company, Jane happens upon the body of alcoholic cod fisherman Nick Dow, who washes ashore with a crushed skull beneath the docks of the fish plant Jane means to assess. The state police don't suspect foul play, but she does. Chasing the murderer, Jane becomes an accidental stowaway aboard a boat that heads into a fierce storm at sea. A cast of memorable New Englanders—especially fish plant foreman Cal Dunham and Jane's kooky but caring landlords, Henry and Alice Vickerson—enhance a fast-moving plot, while the nautical details will appeal to fans of Greenlaw's nonfiction books such as The Hungry Ocean and The Lobster Chronicles. Author tour. (June)
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From Booklist
Greenlaw, author of such nonfiction staples as The Hungry Ocean (1999) and The Lobster Chronicles (2002), turns her hand to fiction with this first installment of a projected mystery series. Jane Bunker gave up her law-enforcement job in Florida to become a marine consultant in Green Haven, Maine. She was hoping for a little quiet time, inspecting businesses for insurance-code violations, but what she found instead was a dead body, a murderous conspiracy, and a town where everybody seems to have a secret. The author, who lives in Maine (where she operates a lobster boat), does an excellent job of portraying a small town and its citizens. Her handling of the mystery elements of the story is less solid—she's guilty of a few rookie mistakes, such as making key plot points just a little too obvious—but she's a smooth writer, and Jane is a likable protagonist. Given room to grow, this series could enjoy a long life. Pitt, David

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1 edition (June 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786866780
• ISBN-13: 978-0786866786
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #218,454 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Sarra Borne, July 12, 2007

By	Front Street Reviews www.frontstreetreviews.com - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

In The Perfect Storm, Sebastian Junger describes Linda Greenlaw as "one of the best sea captains, period, on the East Coast." Linda Greenlaw is also the author of award-winning nonfiction titles about her adventures as one of the few female swordboat captains in a dangerous and predominantly male-dominated line of work.

After promising her fans for seven years, Linda Greenlaw has released her first fictional offering. Slipknot is the first in a series of mysteries featuring protagonist Jane Bunker, a former big-city homicide detective turned marine insurance investigator. Jane is sent to evaluate Turners' Fish Plant in Green Haven, Maine for an insurance adjustment just as the body of the town drunk washes up on the beach. Jane uses her expertise as a former detective to insinuate herself into the investigation. Folks just naturally assume it's a part of her job for Eastern Marine Security Consultants and not just pure nosiness.

Finding her actual job relatively uninteresting, really, just how many OSHA violations can you document anyway - Jane decides to play detective and unearth the truth behind the "accidental drowning". This is a decision that could turn out deadly as she finds herself in one harrowing predicament after another.

Brimming with interesting characters; like nutty landlords Henry and Alice (who give Jane almost no privacy) and teenaged Audrey the heavily pierced and tattooed lunch counter waitress best known for dishing out gossip as well as muffins. The author also captures the average taciturn northeasterner with flair.

Absolutely fascinating and surprisingly educational, the author has poured her knowledge of the sea and fishing into this book. With a quirky blend of humor and suspense, she keeps the reader on the edge of their seat wondering just what could possibly happen next. Let's all hope that she continues to write future Jane Bunker mysteries, as there are so many more places she could go with this character. Jane Bunker has real potential.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rough draft of Jane Bunker, July 23, 2007

By	M. Alden "mainemike" (Maine, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I live in Maine, and have read a couple of L. Greenlaw's books.

I saw her briefly at a book signing in Bangor. She strikes me as a bright, plucky and down-to-Earth woman.
I admire her for the career change in midlife. A swordboat captain turned author? How cool is that?!

I enjoyed SLIPKNOT for the most part. Nice and easy summer read (and please regard that comment as a compliment).

I've often felt that Greenlaw is a keen observer. She has a great ear for dialogue. Wicked good brush strokes on the characters who inhabit Green Haven.

I like Jane Bunker. But I think it will take a few more books before I get to know her. SLIPKNOT feels like a sketch. A promising sketch, but a sketch nonetheless.

Jane is single, approaching her mid-40s. Sharp as a tack. Transplanted Mainer to Florida, where she worked as a cop/investigator, moving back to Maine for the "quiet life".
She takes a job as an entry level insurance assessor, where she finds herself neutered, for lack of a better word. Towards the last third of the book, she transforms yet again into an exceptionally seasoned sailor/fisherman. In some respects, she's the Downeast 007. I thought that perhaps Greenlaw laid it on a bit thick with the seagoing segment of the book. It gets a bit too specific, and I found that I lost sight of Jane Bunker for a moment, and could only think about L. Greenlaw.

Musicians who compose soundtracks for films often talk about how wonderful it is to not be noticed. It means the score enhanced the film without overpowering the imagery. A delicate balance. Looking forward to seeing how Jane Bunker "evolves" in subsequent books. The characters are there. Smalltown coastal Maine flavor is there. Let's see where it goes.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Linda Greenlaw slips easily into fiction, July 6, 2007

By	JoFaye Walker "the book pusher" (Union City, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was worried when I found out Linda Greenlaw's newest book, Slipknot, was a murder mystery. I loved her non-fiction, but being a librarian I've read other authors who have tried and in my opinion failed. Relax. Linda keeps her sense of humor and her wonderful New England characters in perfect perspective. The detective is believable, intelligent, and fun. (Like I've always believed the author would be if I met her) I loved this book, and plan on keeping up my one-sided girlfriend relationship with Linda.

Jo Faye Walker