Mellingham mystery takes a poke at the Yankee façade

A Murderous Innocence

Beverly author Susan Oleksiw’s newest book, “A Murderous Innocence,” is the latest, but I hope not the last, in her Mellingham mystery series.

Mellingham is a small, coastal New England town. The wealthy reside in mansions congregated along the shoreline, while the regular folk live more visibly in houses situated on the community’s well-traveled streets. As Oleksiw has shown already, Mellingham may have more than its share of natural resources and well-heeled taxpayers, but it’s not immune to the troubles that plague us all. This premise is brilliant, allowing the author to poke beyond the manicured hedges and behind the storefronts to get at human nature — the constant that intrigues us all.

In “A Murderous Innocence,” three young men die. Former addicts working hard to stay clean and sober, their drug-related deaths are doubly devastating. It has been said that every addict or every alcoholic’s behavior profoundly affects the lives of at least four other intimate acquaintances. In her engaging fiction, Oleksiw brings this premise to life as she investigates the disorientation and devastation friends and family suffer.

Mellingham Chief of Police Joe Silva solves the murders, as usual, with stoic resolve. He always knows more than he lets on. And he doesn’t tolerate fools patiently, though he works at keeping this imperfection to himself. His path to closure is a bit labyrinthine, which is part of the fun. It isn’t until we turn the last few pages of the book that we understand where we’ve been; that is, which turns were dead ends and which led us here, to clarity and understanding.

In this installment of Mellingham woes, Silva loosens up a bit. Single and in his mid-fifties, he has met a woman he deeply loves. Things are going well between them but he finds, oddly, that he must not leave it at that. Her teenage son, on the periphery of all the drug troubles, helps alert him. Committed but casual will no longer do. He must take greater responsibility for his feelings and for this newfound family.

Silva, a bit of an outsider in this crusty Yankee community, has a certain grace and elegance to offer. Mellingham will no doubt go on to sin again and Silva, perhaps married and rooted more deeply through schools, town meetings, and family ties, will be at the ready. The town is in good hands with Silva, should Oleksiw decide to explore some other facet of our human condition.

Rae Francoeur is a writer and editor.