Circle in the Water

In this twisting mystery in a New York Times bestselling series, pranks escalate into a deadly scheme that Private Investigator Sharon McCone must unravel—​before they claim her life.

San Francisco is home to more than 200 privately owned streets. Most are alleyways, but a select few are lined with mansions and elaborate gardens. When several luxury estate homes are targeted in a series of so-called pranks, Sharon is hired by a coalition of concerned owners to investigate. But as things escalate—an attempt on Sharon’s life, an explosion at a meth lab, and a shocking murder—Sharon realizes far more is at play than a few misdemeanors gone wrong. The case takes a sudden turn when one of McCone & Ripinsky’s most trusted employees is implicated, and Sharon will have to dig deep to save her agency—and her life.

• "Once again, Muller combines a heartfelt . . . investigation with strong elements of a family reunion."
  Kirkus
• "Fans of Muller’s San Francisco–based PI Sharon McCone (last seen in Ice and Stone, 2021) will be delighted that the hardworking sleuth is back in another action-packed adventure . . . McCone cracks the twist-filled case with her usual skill and persistence, offering a satisfying conclusion to a challenging assignment.”
  Booklist
• "Muller undoubtedly remains one of today's best mystery writers."
  Associated Press
• "Muller's McCone set the standard for fictional women detectives; after 35 installments, the detective's character has not diminished but continues to evolve and grow and meet all challenges head on. A must-read for Sharon McCone fans; the series should also be explored by any fan of strong women detectives." 
  Library Journal (Starred Review on Ice and Stone)
• "Will turn any reader into a nail-biter . . . deftness in writing combined with the lead character's passionate morality and willingness to fight for the underdog are what have made this series successful for its long run . . . delivers a fast, intense, thought-provoking read." 
  New York Journal of Books (on Ice and Stone)
• "Well-paced...Tough, tenacious, self-reliant, and empathetic, McCone is fiercely loyal to her friends and family. As always, it's a pleasure to watch her in action. Muller does a fine job."
  Publishers Weekly (on Ice and Stone)
• "[Marcia Muller's] stories crackle like few others on the mystery landscape."
  San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle
• "One of the world's premier mystery writers."
  Cleveland Plain Dealer