Rose Dhu - by Mark Murphy (Paperback)

About the Book

An atmospheric mystery with a richly drawn Savannah, Georgia, setting and characters that jump off the page.

Book Synopsis

A highly regarded surgeon has gone missing. Will the search for her whereabouts tear a community apart?

Dr. Janie O'Connor's disappearance from her Savannah estate, Rose Dhu, has shocked the town to its core. Her former fiancé, Phillip Carruthers-once the most eligible bachelor in coastal Georgia and the playboy son of Savannah's most powerful billionaire family-is the prime suspect.

Phillip maintains his innocence and seems to have an airtight alibi, and the case has local police stumped. But Detective Frank Winger, who has his own personal connection to Janie's family, is determined to discover what happened . . . as long as false witnesses, evidence tampering, and ghosts from his past don't get in the way.

When back-door dealings and long-forgotten enemies reveal themselves, will Frank be able to distinguish fact from fiction to figure out what happened to Janie? Or will her whereabouts stay shrouded in the shadows of Savannah's live oaks?

Review Quotes

"Rose Dhu-as we expect in the best mystery novels-rivets our attention from the opening chapter to its stunning conclusion, but equally impressive is how Savannah itself becomes a character. We see the city's grandeur but also the corruption and class-consciousness hidden beneath. Memorable characters, moral complexity, and perfect pacing make this novel worthy of a wide and appreciative audience. Bravo!" -Ron Rash, author of The Caretaker

"A sophisticated and atmospheric thriller that plunges the reader into the heart of Savannah . . . This is not a simple whodunit; it is a masterclass in misdirection that explores the ultimate cost of self-preservation. . . a thrilling, character-driven story that is both shocking and deeply satisfying. . . . Highly recommended." -Manhattan Book Review

"Original, cleverly scripted, thoroughly engaging, and a fun read for dedicated mystery buffs from start to finish, Rose Dhu showcases author Mark Murphy's genuine flair for the kind of narrative-driven and deftly crafted storytelling style that lifts his novel to an impressive level of literary excellence." -Midwest Book Review

"Rose Dhu by Mark Murphy is an engaging read that kept me on my toes to the end. I loved the unique and unpredictable nature of the plot, which takes one on a gripping journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. . . a thrilling and satisfying read." -Readers' Favorite

"Rose Dhu reads like a blend of Sharp Objects and Where the Crawdads Sing, only with a darker pulse and a tighter grip on the shadowy power games that shape a Southern town. I would recommend Rose Dhu to readers who enjoy mysteries that lean into emotional depth, stories about moral gray zones, or Southern gothic settings with teeth." -Thomas Anderson, editor in chief, Literary Titan