The Dead Man and the Sea

Rating:
Summary: Lots of Characters
Review: I really loved Death of a PostModernist and was delighted to learn that the Margo Simon series continues. In this book, I especially love Steinberg's use of oceanographic terms as epigraphs for the chapters. I am also enjoying watching Margo's relationships with her stepchildren unfold from one book to the next. And I also like looking at other women through the eyes of Margo, because she looks at them with such a compassionate and intelligent eye. I am eager for more books in this engaging series of mysteries.

Rating:
Summary: What a great way to get an education about oceanography!
Review: I really loved Death of a PostModernist and was delighted to learn that the Margo Simon series continues. In this book, I especially love Steinberg's use of oceanographic terms as epigraphs for the chapters. I am also enjoying watching Margo's relationships with her stepchildren unfold from one book to the next. And I also like looking at other women through the eyes of Margo, because she looks at them with such a compassionate and intelligent eye. I am eager for more books in this engaging series of mysteries.

Rating:
Summary: Love title - buying another for friend
Review: The title of this book struck me as very funny - a take-off on Hemingway's "The Old Man and The Sea." But I didn't know if I'd like the book.

It actually is very well written. The plot involves the death of a gay character - and boy is he a character! We find out a lot about him after he's dead. He's outrageous and quite amusing.

The San Diego locale is accurately portrayed. The action takes place at an oceanographic institute that seems to be like Scripps Institute.

Anyhow, I'm coming back to buy another copy for a friend.

Rating:
Summary: Lots of Characters
Review: This was my first Janet Steinberg novel. It was fast paced and realistic. You can't rush through this novel, she does introduce a lot of characters. If you aren't paying attention, you'll need to flip back and remember who's who. Also, I felt left out by her past experiences which were fairly significant in this book. Those comments aside, it was a great romp through academia, oceanography and La Jolla, California. She is a descriptive author who doesn't tangle you up in endless scenery setting. I will definitely read her again.