The novel opens on a summer weekend with Dan visiting his closest friends at their seaside cottage. Ann and Frank are worried about Dan's aimless existence. Aaron, their teenage ward, has finally managed to put some perspective on his parent's death and to enjoy life again. Aaron bullies Dan into a long bicycle ride. On the ride he stops to show Dan one of his preoccupations – a very large tire pile which is discreetly hidden in the woods.

Days later, Dan returns to Wettanmesett after learning that Aaron has been killed. Aaron was shot in the chest and found with a stash of drugs. His helmet is missing, and there is some unusual bike damage. Knowing Aaron to be an athlete, and trusting Ann's opinion, Dan believes the drugs to be a plant.

Since the cops are reluctant to believe that this is anything but a drug deal gone sour or a drive-by shooting, they drag their feet investigating. Hating to see Ann and Frank not only grieving but also anguished by the drug scenario, Dan seeks answers. He starts his investigation at the scene of the crime, which is near the ecologically disastrous tire pile.

Meanwhile Dan's hires Jenny Crane as his latest temporary assistant. Jenny is bright and quick and Dan learns that she is an attorney forced to do temp work. Her last job ended with the threat of sexual harassment and she is taking time to "get her head together."

In short order in a trendy 90s fashion, the novel features an ecological disaster, middle-age burn out, sexual harassment, and drug trafficking.

The mystery in Dead Low Tide follows a very predictable course, beginning with the obvious foreshadowing of the summer weekend bike ride. The evildoers are obvious from the beginning and how the clues fit together is equally methodical and foreseeable. The characters lack depth and evoke little empathy, so the novel just becomes an exercise in logical steps.

However, if the quiet seashore setting appeals, and the slant that focuses on timely, social issues interests you, then this will be an enjoyable read.

--Thea Davis