finished reading

This is a brilliant book.  I would say this could be a stand-alone because the author does such a fantastic job of introducing the characters and fleshing them out. The mystery is tight and kept me guessing.  This is the story of life-long friends who struggle with guilt, trust, and secrets. Vera Stanhope--as I say after reading every book in the series--is a complex and compelling character.  She reflects on her own relationships: with her deceased father, with her neighbors, and with her team.

I was enthralled.  I couldn't put it down.  I was stunned by the ending.  And I cannot wait to read more.

From the publisher:

Fifty years ago, a group of teenagers spent a weekend on Holy Island, forging a bond that has lasted a lifetime. Now, they still return every five years to celebrate their friendship, and remember the friend they lost to the rising waters of the causeway at the first reunion.

Now, when one of them is found hanged, Vera is called in. Learning that the dead man had recently been fired after misconduct allegations, Vera knows she must discover what the friends are hiding, and whether the events of many years before could have led to murder then, and now . . .

But with the tide rising, secrets long-hidden are finding their way to the surface, and Vera and the team may find themselves in more danger than they could have believed possible . . .