I found this story set on the coast of Maine quite absorbing and original. A woman finds herself caught up in the violence and skullduggery surrounding the lucrative trade in glass eels, and soon needs to find justice when a murder is committed. I especially loved the passages that show us the setting from the perspective of its non-human inhabitants. Lovely writing. Will be reviewing this on its publication date.

Set on Caterpillar Island, Maine, The Glass Eel is wonderfully atmospheric. I got a real sense of what the vacationer sees...lobster shacks, beaches, pretty houses...but also the underbelly the locals live such as crime, drug abuse and working for a pittance. The clear distinction rolled out a fascinating backdrop and juxtaposition for this intriguing novel. Tradition, culture and environment also play key roles. So do the sea creatures' precarious lives of survival which paints an excellent allegory.

Divorced middle-aged Jeanette picks crab for export. Her job is tedious and dull but she has to earn a living. When her husband's deserted boat is discovered, the drama ramps up which is a big deal for a small fishing town. The issue of elver legalities pops up, a business as dark and deep as the ocean. These glass eels fetch an astronomical amount of money and, as we know, money drives a lot of people to desperation. Politicians and business people grease palms. Murder sheds new light on various problems and the little vacation spot sees red.

The sense of place is beautifully descriptive, so vivid I could taste the salty air, smell the crabs, see the silvery elvers and feel the swirling tension. That there are perspectives of animals may sound odd but it isn't. They add an indefinable insight which is seamlessly sewn into the fabric of the lives of people and animals, friend and foe at the same time. Another quality which riveted me is the wonderful characterization, especially of Jeanette. The writing itself is unique, too. If you crave originality, this is for you.