Robert Whitlow's "Water's Edge"

Tom Crane is preparing to return home to Bethel, a small town in northwestern Georgia, to settle his late father’s estate and law practice. Before he can leave, he’s laid off by the big Atlanta law firm he works for, and his girlfriend Clarice dumps him, via a note signed “Hugs” (a concise farewell that tells you everything you need to know about Clarice).

When he arrives in Bethel, Tom begins to discover that his father may have been involved in fraudulent activity with an executive at the big financial company in town, he’s being subpoenaed by the county prosecutor, his old girlfriend Tiffany – married to Tom’s best friend Rick – is showing unusual interest in Tom again, and his father may not have died in an accident.

If this weren’t enough, Tom finds himself finding faith in God.

“Water’s Edge” is author Robert Whitlow’s latest entry in a series of legal thrillers, and it’s a fast-paced, thoroughly detailed and packed with all kinds of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing (and on edge). Whitlow makes full use of his own background experience as a practicing attorney and his roots in northern Georgia to deftly weave an exciting, believable story.

The major characters are drawn true, but even the minor characters are well done, recognizable but not drawn to stereotypes. Tom’s great-uncle Elias speaks exactly like an elderly man, with great faith in God, should speak, including some wry humor. Bernice is just the sort of good-natured but meddling secretary you’d find in a small town law practice. Tom’s best friend Rick stops just short of the Southern “good ole boy,” and Tiffany manages to flirt without the “flooziness.”

Whitlow has done well with “Water’s Edge” – a well-told story about things not being quite what they seem in a small Southern town.