The Gray and Guilty Sea: An Oregon Coast Mystery is Book 1 of 9 of the “Garrison Gage Series” by Scott William Carter. The contemporary novel is set on the rugged Oregon coast.
Garrison Gage, a crusty retired New York private investigator, just wants to be left alone. He’s still grieving over the brutal murder of his wife and his own debilitating knee injury sustained as the result of being shot by the same villain who killed his wife. It’s been five years since the tragedy, and he’s retreated three thousand miles to the quaint coastal town of Barnacle Bluffs, Oregon. He spends his time working crossword puzzles.
On a solitary walk to the nearby seaside, Garrison discovers the body of a young woman washed up on the beach. The investigator in him just can’t let it go—he’s compelled to solve what is obviously a crime scene. While in the process, Garrison manages to antagonize the police chief, become acquainted with a pretty, smart reporter from the local newspaper, and spark interest with some of the local folks who help him solve the mystery of what is obviously a brutal murder.
I enjoyed this mystery, particularly since I have spent time on the Oregon coast and am familiar with many of the sights. Although Barnacle Bluffs is a fictitious town, it is similar to many communities along the coast. The author does a fine job of identifying the crime as a murder, and goes about solving the case logically with a believable sequence. I’m not a crime novel buff, but I appreciate good writing. This mystery series if off to a good start.