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Lake Tahoe is a masterpiece of nature. At an elevation of 6,229 feet, it is the highest lake of its size in the United States. It is the third deepest (1,645 feet) in North America and the tenth deepest in the world. The lake is so clear that in some places objects can be seen to depths of 75 feet. It is a place that carefully protects the past in its cold waters. Lake Tahoe is economically dependent on tourism. The steamship Constance was scuttled 60 years ago at the bottom of Echo Bay. Now, people in the area are interested in raising the Constance from the deep for the economic impact she would have on the area. Catherine Mulvhill, daughter of the original owner of the Constance is determined that the vessel will remain where she is. A millionaire and shrewd political operator, Mulvhill makes a very powerful foe. Shawn Rainey is a down and out, once-successful athlete. He was a skiing sensation before a career-ending crash on the slopes above his home in Lake Tahoe. He is being blackmailed into returning home and helping with the Constance project. Shawn's father still lives in the area as do several high school friends. For the most part, Shawn is remembered fondly by the area's inhabitants and is welcomed home. Everyone has a past and ghosts that haunt them. Echo Bay will see ghosts rising from the depths of the memories of Shawn, Catherine Mulvhill and others to cloud the surface. ECHO BAY starts with Shawn Rainey and a simple case of blackmail. It is soon crammed with characters and their pasts that cross a gulf of 60 years. Splendid imagery make the unique atmospheric setting of Lake Tahoe as much of a character as the human ones. You know you are in the hands of a skilful writer as Barre weaves these tragic and tender stories of love and hate, loyalty and treachery, hope and despair into one cohesive whole. With writing clear, uncluttered and capturing every mood it is difficult to stop reading or caring about the characters. ECHO BAY is a strong, compelling, sophisticated puzzle. Richard Barre is the Shamus award winning author of the hard-boiled series featuring private investigator Wil Hardesty. ECHO BAY is Barre's first standalone suspense novel. It's hard to imagine that any reader, fan or new, would not be thoroughly entertained and pleased with ECHO BAY.
Reviewed by Lane Wright, June 2004
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