I have read Nelson DeMille once before having enjoyed The Charm School an interesting read pertaining to Russia's KGB. For whatever reason I never picked up any of his other dozen or so books, many of which made the NY Times Best Seller List.

I did recently read a mystery that took place on the eastern end of Long Island's South fork. The book, Amagansett, was full of Long Island history and I knew of and could relate to many of the destinations it featured. I enjoyed that and was looking for something else comparable.

Through conversation with a local book-store employee I was led to author Nelson DeMille who has also used Long Island as a backdrop to a couple of his mysteries. I picked up Plum Island first. I'm glad I did because from what I can tell it's the first story with protagonist Detective John Corey, a NY city cop, who was convalescing due to an attempt on his life that left a number of bullet holes in his body.

Plot

While on medical leave, Detective Corey was staying at his uncle's summer home on Long Island's north fork, an area he was somewhat familiar with due to childhood stays 'out east'. This a land of fishing vessels and pleasure craft, ferries to a number of islands and Connecticut, numerous Long Island wineries, bluffs above sand beaches, beautiful waterfront homes, and it's an area that is laden with stories of Indians, the first European settlers of the US, pirates and tales of yore. It made for an excellent setting for this murder mystery.

John Corey is asked by the local police chief, a friend, to help solve the murder of two good looking and popular young scientists who happen to work on Plum Island. This is an actual place that does biological testing of animal diseases just a few miles off the tip of the North Fork. This island's studies are heavily protected by decontamination facilities to keep dangerous and infectious diseases like anthrax and Ebola in check. It's name is the Plum Island Animal Research Center and is run by the USDA.

The plot thickens when John Corey hooks up with the local, female, police detective who is running the case. They work together in a sexually tense, boy meets girl relationship, as they pick up pieces helping to solve the puzzle of the murders. Also included is the FBI and other feds representing the USDA.

I was treated to a fast paced "Who done it?" involving colourful suspects and an intriguing story line.

Some Thoughts

What made this book particularly interesting, besides the Long Island back drop, was Detective Corey's intellect. At the book's very beginning I was put off by him and didn't know if I could continue reading his provocative, sarcastic, humorous and sometimes silly remarks. I quickly "got it" and I found myself reading a murder mystery with a huge smile on my face and actually laughing out loud many times. The easy-going, conversational style and personal asides of macho detective Corey kept me turning the pages eagerly following his sharp wit and amusing analytical methods .

Another key was the character development. DeMille was brilliant in this regard. There were a number of persons who were crucial to solving the mystery. These were three dimensional characters that enhanced the mystery. This was particularly important while following the twists and turns of the story-line and understanding how each fit into the complete puzzle.

I'd like to give more information about this tale but this review would then turn into a spoiler. Let it be known that the end, though partly predictable and containing a bit of graphic colour, was quite satisfying and it was a thrill ride getting there. I really enjoyed this fast paced read.

I have since found out that Detective Corey still lives-on in a couple of DeMille's newer releases. I will be looking for them.



Night Fall Nelson DeMille's fiction based on the TWA 800 Explosion.
Mayday
The Lions Game
Up Country



Amagansett another murder mystery. This one is set on Long Island's south fork.

Recommended: Yes