Not to re-read ( )

Ein neuer Fall für Superintendent Duncan Kincaid und Inspector Gemma James. Weihnachten naht, und Superintendent Duncan Kincaid fährt mit seiner Lebensgefährtin Gemma James zu seiner Familie nach Cheshire. Das Idyll im mittelalterlichen Städtchen Nantwich wird jedoch bald getrübt, als Kincaids Schwester Juliet in einer alten Scheune eine mumifizierte Babyleiche findet. Zur selben Zeit trifft Kincaids Exfreundin, die Sozialarbeiterin Annie, zufällig eine Frau wieder, die vor Jahren verdächtigt wurde, ihre Kinder zu misshandeln. Als Kincaids Sohn Kit zwei Tage später zum Kanal hinuntergeht, stolpert er über einen leblosen Körper im Gras. Es ist die Leiche von Annie …

One of the best entries in the series. This one revolves around Duncan's family over Christmas holidays. What makes it different is that the case that comes up is not one Duncan and Gemma investigate...at first. Later they do get involved.

Great plot and strong characters, some larger than life.

Water Like a Stone fleshes out more of Duncan's life with his parents, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew, and a good former friend Babcock. Gemma and Kit are initially anxious about living up to expectations but by the end they know they are fully and unconditionally accepted and loved.

WATER LIKE A STONE is Book #11 of Deborah Crombie’s Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James mystery series.
Duncan, Gemma, Toby, Kit and their two dogs travel to Duncan’s parents’ home in Cheshire for the Christmas holidays. Soon after arrival, Duncan takes a call from his sister, Juliet. She is at her work site and has shockingly uncovered an infant interred in a wall of an old dairy barn. Police inquiries bring Duncan together with childhood friend, Chief Inspector Ronnie Babcock of the local police force. And Duncan must face the unraveling of sister Juliet’s marriage and troubled daughter; a local drowning; a retired social worker’s isolation on her narrowboat and the ever complicated relationship with his partner Gemma and son Kit.
I quite liked the many-layered plots of this title which included - family dynamics; interred bodies; murder; wayward teenagers; resentment; lies and manipulation; arson; corruption and greed; British Social Services; a truly psychopathic young boy and interpersonal relationships. Whew! Quite a list!
This series intrigues me as it is part mystery; part crime drama; part police procedural; and part local lore and history (read travelogue).
The information about the waterway/canal system; the canal boats and the ‘boat life’ was very interesting.
I was a bit disappointed about the lack of a map. (I love the maps.)
I liked Chief Inspector Ronnie Babcock and his assistant Shelia Larkin and would like to meet up with them again.
I would heartily recommend this book and this series. ( )

This story takes place at Christmas when Duncan, Gemma, Kit and Toby visit Duncan's parents for the holidays. Their family intricacies mean Kit finds it hard to accept Duncan's parents as his grandparents, while Toby, not blood-related, comfortably settles in as a grandchild. The story involves the people who live on narrowboats and travel the canal system as employment opportunities demand. Naturally - this is a crime novel, after all - there are some nasty characters around. In fact Christmas isn't so cosy at all. It is an excellent story, written with Crombie's typical flair and knowledge, but I'm just glad my holidays are not spent with the Kincaids. ( )