This book really delivered with a great, summer murder mystery. I didn't realize this was the fifth in a series, and that after a hiatus of almost twenty years, the author has returned to Nantucket and police detective Merry Folger. It didn't matter in the least that I haven't read the other books. Summertime on Nantucket, for both islanders and summer people are described with vivid detail. The family dynamics of the Murphys, from estranged brothers, the ex-wife, and an aging parent, combine into a fascinating story. The past somewhat dictates how things are playing out in the present and I was really engrossed though out the whole mystery. ( )

Francine Mathews has been one busy writer. When approached by her publisher to write another of her Merry Folger mysteries-- a series she wrote in the mid- to late 1990s-- she agreed on one condition: that she rewrite the first four books to bring them up to date. Having read and enjoyed the books in their first incarnation, I have to admit that I am interested in the updated versions.

Death on Nantucket continues the things I liked so much about the other books in the series. Mathews (who writes the Jane Austen mysteries under the name Stephanie Barron) brings the landscape of Nantucket to life in all its sights, sounds, and smells. She also brings in many fascinating facts about the island, some of them historical and some of them about everyday things like trash and landfills. Merry Folger is a strong, intelligent main character whom I quickly grew to like.

Woven into the investigation are scenes from Merry's personal life. That ex-Chicago cop who's now police chief on Nantucket is so obnoxious that I just had to roll my eyes and fume, and Mathews includes some mouth-watering scenes that will have dedicated foodies blissed out. Even though the members of the Murphy family didn't seem to be able to tell the truth, I had little trouble in deducing what was going on. But it certainly was great to visit Nantucket, and I'd go see Merry Folger again anytime! ( )

The title immediately drew me to this book. I'm from Massachusetts, and spent time on Nantucket Island when I was a child. I no longer live in the state, so the nostalgia of "home" was a nice perk with this story. The author does a great job of placing us on that island. I was never part of the wealthy culture that has taken over, but I felt it come alive on the pages.

The first half of the story reads like a family drama wrapped around a mysterious death. Merry's character and her investigation are secondary to the family members' theatrics. The mystery intensifies and Merry's investigation picks up speed throughout the second half of the book. Here we get to play detective along with Merry as she uncovers the secrets and lies.

I didn't feel I got to know Merry's character beyond the basics of her personality. There is little character development with her, and not much beyond what we need to know with the others. The character I liked best was Andre. Despite his part being relatively small, I had a better sense of who he was at his core. The others all felt superficial to me.

I haven't read any of the previous books in this series. I assume Merry's character is fleshed out better in the first book or two. If you're looking for a connection with her, you might want to start at the beginning with this series.

*I received an advance copy from the publisher, via Amazon Vine, in exchange for my honest review.* ( )