3 out of 4 stars
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Surf and Sand: The Girl in the Seaside Hotel by W.B. Edwards is a mystery set in Southern California. Mary Nell, a twelve-year-old girl, moves to a dilapidated ocean-front hotel with her brother and mother in 1959. New to the area and with no friends other than Lonnie, her brother, Mary Nell spends her days swimming alone in the old motel pool. When she learns about the disappearance of a young actress twenty years ago, who was last seen near the motel pool, Mary Nell is determined to solve the case. The mystery becomes even more important to Mary Nell when she learns of a connection between her family and Irene, the missing actress.
Edwards deftly aligns the two plotlines, shifting smoothly between Irene’s story in 1938 and Mary Nell’s investigation in 1959, creating one cohesive story. Moreover, there is an interesting juxtaposition between the characters from the past and their present personas, like Mary Nell’s mother, who plays an important role in both storylines. The concurrent storytelling led to some believable red herrings, which ultimately made for a very exciting mystery.
The characterization was also engaging, especially that of the younger characters. Mary Nell’s character was by far the most developed and the most interesting. Reminiscent of Scout from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the protagonist is a bit of a loner, endlessly curious, and clever beyond her years. The author masterfully creates a believable and likable character, foregoing the typical tropes. Similarly, Mary Nell’s older brother, Lonnie, has a realistic relationship with his younger sister; one that is strained by his new teenage-boy interests.
In addition to the expert plotting and enjoyable protagonist, Edwards writes an engrossing and unique setting: The Surf and Sand Motel. Located on the shore in southern California, the motel is the perfect setting for both a cold-case mystery and a curious young girl. The setting oozes old-fashioned Hollywood glamour, but the decaying building and outdated interiors are described in a most unsettling way, aligning perfectly with the mysteries at the heart of this story.
However, the storytelling is clumsy in places. For instance, when Mary Nell makes a connection between her mother and the cold case, the reveal is quick and lackluster, and the young girl’s reaction is blasé at best. There are also a few subplots that didn’t live up to their potential, like the strained relationship between Mary Nell and her father. Further, the manuscript needs to be professionally edited. I noted numerous errors, like improper capitalization, missing apostrophes, and missing words.
I thoroughly enjoyed Surf and Sand. Although the editing wasn’t perfect, and the storytelling could use some energizing in certain places, the mystery was engaging, the characters were realistic, and I found the book difficult to put down. If not for the editorial issues, I would happily rate this book four stars. However, in its current state, Surf and Sand earns 3 out of 4 stars. Readers who enjoy mysteries that lean more towards the literary genre will enjoy this well-constructed story.
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Surf and Sand
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. I would definitely give this book a try. Thank you for this great review!
