The Body On The Beach by Patrick J. Collins

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Constabulary officer Frank Fallon has just returned to his seaside home of Harbour Grace after 15 years with the Constabulary in St. John’s. Demoted from his position as Corporal because of behaviour unbecoming of an officer, the seasoned policeman finds himself on the beat in a town where he is forced to relive the painful memories of his past and the loss of his one and only love, beautiful Marie Callahan.  Bitter recollections quickly turn to a quest for justice, when Marie turns up dead on Martin’s Beach.  As Frank sets out to investigate the suspicious death of his former lover he is forced to revisit past relationships and confront personal demons that continue to plague him at every turn.  The Body On The Beach is a well-crafted piece of detective fiction that offers both suspense and a sense of vicarious satisfaction. As Officer Frank Fallon embarks upon his criminal investigation, hidden secrets and collusion are revealed and the sad tale behind the body on the beach is one you just don’t see coming. 

“My Lord. Oh my God. It’s Marie.”

Seeing the love of his life, the woman he once hoped to marry, a victim, sprawled lifeless and cold, was too much to bear.  Too crushing.  He wanted to hold her.  Cradle her.  Comfort her.  Save her.   But he knew it was futile.  It was too late.  Fifteen years too late.  After all these years, discovering his very first love in such a horrifying context was beyond disturbing. 

He was numb with shock, his face buried in his hands.  But he had to come to his senses.  He was a policeman. As Frank rose to his feet, he glanced around, hoping that he hadn’t been seen. Thankfully, it appeared he was still alone.  

A #ReadAtlantic book!

The Body On The Beach by Patrick J. Collins is Collins’ eleventh and most recent book. Written in memory of Alice Williams who tragically died in 1902, this mystery narrative is inspired by her suspicious death; a death whose cause has never been revealed.  Set in the 1920s, the bustling town of Harbour Grace is under the rule of the Prohibition Act and the judicial brass are tasked with maintaining law and order.  Officer Frank Fallon is a skilled officer but bitter about his demotion and seeks the comfort of forbidden spirits to help him get through his day.  Readers will relate to Fallon’s flaws and will sympathize with his heartache but at the same time will be impressed with his investigative skills and dogged determination to find out what happened to his beloved Marie.  Readers will also be intrigued by the beautiful Christine Sullivan, daughter of the Chief Inspector who demoted Fallon and will enjoy how the criminal investigation unfolds while a new story of love and romance develops. Collins cleverly crafts a completely new level of entertainment through the interplay of these two characters. 

Collins has done an excellent job at creating a story that flows seamlessly. It is well-paced, making the story interesting and keeping readers hooked until the very end. The Body On The Beach by Patrick J. Collins is a wonderful read for any armchair detective who enjoys an escape from reality and an opportunity to step back in time. 

Patrick J. Collins is a writer and retired educator who has taught in various communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. He finished his career in education as a curriculum program specialist, working in several school districts on the Avalon Peninsula and in Western Labrador. Patrick also worked as a sales and marketing representative with Lifetouch Canada until June 2011. He recently retired as a sessional instructor at the Canadian Training Institute in Bay Roberts. Pat’s eleventh and most recent work, The Body on the Beach, is a novel inspired by the true events surrounding a woman, Alice Williams, who died under mysterious and suspicious circumstances. The cause of her death has never been revealed. Born and raised in Riverhead, Harbour Grace, Patrick J. Collins continues to enjoy researching and writing in his retirement.

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Flanker Press (Sept. 22 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1774570688
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1774570685
Website

Stephanie Collins is a retired school administrator and teacher from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland. A lover of literature and an avid reader, Stephanie loves travelling, outdoor activities, and riding shotgun in her RV or on the back of a motorcycle. Stephanie enjoys writing about her travels, reviewing new titles, and is an aspiring children’s book writer. Her reviews can be found at Fireside Collections and you can follow her on Twitter @MrsCollinsNL.