Seven Days Dead by John Farrow

Published by Minotaur Books (Thomas Dunne) on May 24, 2016

Seven Days Dead is a fun, engrossing novel. It has a peculiar, meandering plot that invites the reader to speculate about how the characters and their stories will come together. The story has the charm of a well-conceived mystery but the novel’s characters are its strength.

Alfred Orrock, the major property owner on Grand Manan, has arranged to die. Simon Lescavage is present and not happy about it. Alfred’s daughter Maddy is on her way but, as always, her father doesn’t wait for her. Shortly after Alfred’s death, a popular island resident comes to a violent end. A third death follows.

The Canadian island of Grand Manan is populated by eccentrics, busybodies, and tourists. The locals regularly set each other’s property on fire or dangle someone over a cliff to resolve a quarrel, but they draw the line at murder. Wade Louwagie, a burnt-out Mountie who has is coping with panic attacks, isn’t sure he’s capable of dealing with a disemboweled corpse. That body was discovered by Aaron Roadcap, the son of a convicted murderer whose heritage makes him a suspect in the death.

Rounding out the cast are a retired police officer, Émile Cinq-Mars, and his wife Sandra, who are attempting to vacation on the island. Sandra and Émile are trying to sort out their lives, to decide what they want and whether they are capable of change. For Émile to become involved in murder investigations seems contrary to their attempt at a fresh start, but they both know that solving crime is in Émile’s blood.

The primary characters are constantly evolving as they deal with their pasts and find the courage to address the future. Colorful background characters are drawn with the kind of quirkiness that makes them seem real. Selecting the murderer is as challenging for the reader as it is for Émile.

Seven Days Dead is marketed as a thriller but I would classify it as a crime novel. A single action scene that places Émile and Sandra at risk generates a surprising amount of suspense, but the novel focuses on solving the mystery rather than generating excitement. It is a quick and compulsive read. The story is tight; every scene has a purpose. Émile solves the crime with a Sherlockian flair. This is an old-fashioned mystery that combines an intricate yet credible plot with fetching characters, a refreshing change from the outrageous plots and cartoonish characters that dominate modern crime fiction.

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