Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Deep End
    The Deep End
    The Deep End
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Deep End

    Written by Julie Mulhern

    Narrated by Callie Beaulieu

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    It's 1974 and Ellison Russell's life revolves around her daughter and her art. She's long since stopped caring about her cheating husband, Henry, and the women with whom he entertains himself. That is, until she becomes a suspect in Madeline Harper's death. The murder forces Ellison to confront her husband's proclivities and his crimes-kinky sex, petty cruelties, and blackmail.

    As the body count approaches par on the seventh hole, Ellison knows she has to catch a killer. But with an interfering mother, an adoring father, a teenage daughter, and a cadre of well-meaning friends demanding her attention, can Ellison find the killer before he finds her?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateAug 23, 2016
    ISBN9781515980766
    The Deep End

    More audiobooks from Julie Mulhern

    Related to The Deep End

    Titles in the series (18)

    View More
    View More

    Related audiobooks

    Amateur Sleuths For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying Vampires

      Mar 25, 2020

      RELEASED 7 APRIL 408 pages | Paperback/ebook/audiobook Author Grady Hendrix Publisher Quirk Books Grady Hendrix writes women beautifully, never more so than in his terrific coming-of-age horror My Best Friend’s Exorcism, so it’s an absolute joy to re

      1 min read

    • Article

      The Last Friend on Earth

      May 4, 2023

      It was as if Doreen Saunders had been waiting for me, passing the time until my arrival. She might as well have been sitting in a rocking chair, knitting needles clicking, jam tarts cooling on the side, the door wide open, waiting for the next visito

      6 min read

    • Article

      The Leather Coat

      Apr 4, 2024

      The Leather Coat
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Lives of Bryan

      Jun 1, 2023

      The Lives of Bryan
      19 min read

    • Article

      Tomorrows

      Mar 15, 2022

      The night, as most nights, was like a dream. At ten, once I’d fed the dog the last scraps off the stove. Once I’d cursed the cat for scratching up my mama’s antique furniture, then welcomed him back into my arms. Once I’d slicked my hair into a ponyt

      26 min read

    • Article

      Why I Don’t Write

      Mar 7, 2019

      Why I Don’t Write
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Man I Should Have Married

      Dec 29, 2019

      The Man I Should Have Married
      11 min read

    • Article

      Penny

      Jul 2, 2020

      Penny
      6 min read

    • Article

      Uncontrollable, Irrelevant

      Dec 6, 2022

      My sister called me the other day. She wanted to let me know that I had once more been merciless and cruel in my relations with our parents. “They say there’s a lot of anger in you,” she said. “It makes them mad. It hurts their feelings. They think y

      14 min read

    • Article

      The Freshening

      Sep 15, 2018

      My cashier’s black hair was beautiful. Though not unlike mine, it was shinier and thicker, and hung glamorously down to her waist. It looked strong, too, like Christopher Reeve’s in the Superman movies. A strand of Superman’s silvery hair could hold

      21 min read

    • Article

      The Missing Limousine

      Sep 28, 2021

      The Missing Limousine
      21 min read

    • Article

      Anthem Of Our Crazy Age

      Nov 2, 2022

      MY old friend Ena planned every detail of her funeral. When she told me that she had written the eulogy to be delivered by her daughter, I said: ‘Don’t you think that’s cheating?’ ‘No!’ She snapped. ‘I want to set the record straight. I was a very go

      4 min read

    • Article

      Life In The past Lane

      Aug 27, 2021

      Life In The past Lane
      5 min read

    • Article

      The Family Plot

      May 7, 2020

      The Family Plot
      10 min read

    • Article

      The Convict

      Jul 10, 2020

      The Convict
      5 min read

    • Article

      Intelligent Creatures

      Jul 6, 2023

      Intelligent Creatures
      19 min read

    • Article

      Roundtrip For One

      Nov 1, 2019

      Roundtrip For One
      5 min read

    • Article

      Dark Tales

      Dec 2, 2021

      Dark Tales
      6 min read

    • Article

      The After

      Jun 10, 2023

      He is sitting opposite me, staring blankly like a dead fish. Stone eyes. Cobalt and lifeless. Pale gray skin, dripping scales. I imagine him hauled out of the water and dumped on the riverbank, gasping for breath. Just as he deserves. I only agreed t

      13 min read

    • Article

      After “The End”

      Oct 10, 2022

      I walked down the road with a hunched back and a wet cigarette in my mouth—the fire had died a while back. My hands were tucked into the pockets of my jacket, and my hair fell over my face, limiting my sight. But I wasn’t really seeing where I was go

      10 min read

    • Article

      Cold Calling

      Jan 18, 2021

      Two or three phone calls per week. Every week for six months. All more or less the same. “Hello Mrs Redmond, this is Martin/Tim/Alice/Marmaduke [I’m serious], I’m calling from your internet provider to let you know that your broadband server has been

      6 min read

    • Article

      Righteous

      Jan 22, 2019

      Righteous
      8 min read

    • Article

      Prohibition

      Sep 10, 2021

      It had been ten days since my last fix. I knew what I was going to do was wrong, but unless you knew the yearning that your body exerts, the internal pull which strangles your very soul into submission, then you cannot judge me. Yes, it was wrong. Ye

      15 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Deep End

    4/5

    84 ratings11 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      It was funny and suspenseful. Great for summer reading.
    • 5/5
      I love a good mystery, and a mystery touched with some humor, and just a hint of kinky sex is even better. In The Deep End, Julie Mulhern gives us both. I rather doubt there is anything that will startle you more than going for your early morning swim and running into a body. It’s what happens next that kept me awake at night. Protagonist Ellison Russell is a whole lot stronger than she’s willing to admit, even in the mid-1970s when women were just coming into their own. She’s still learning how to stand up for herself, but she’s unwilling to be a doormat, and when independence and submission collide, the fur will fly. I am eager for the next book in the Country Club Murders series. ~ Linda Thompson, Host of TheAuthorsShow.com
    • 4/5
      Honestly wasn't a bad read. As an animator, I tend to listen to things that aren't super duper extremely consuming like this, but a mystery is enjoyable. It definitely gives me the vibes that this is something moreso suited for people who want to hear a suburban town mom story. It's simple, the twist was pretty alright, and most importantly it ended in a satisfying way. Worldbuilding and characterwise, it is pretty one dimensional but never in a baffling way. The romance aspect isn't the main focus, it's pretty predictable and simple, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. If you're looking for something similar to what I seeked in a book, you came to the right place.
    • 5/5
      The novel is set in 1974, and author Julie Mulhern captures that time period well with occasional passing references to historical events, social mores, and the fashion of the day. I love that Ellison drinks Tab, which was my dad's favorite drink (my mom still has a can of the soda in her refrigerator in his memory). It's touches like that which help me immerse myself completely in a novel.I liked Ellison's spunk and ability to think on her feet. There is mention that she hasn't always stood up for herself in her marriage or with her mother in the past, but, from what I saw, she makes quite a formidable character. Her husband, Henry, was every bit the moron. And I found her mother extremely overbearing, but it was obvious she loves her daughter. Gossip spreads like wildfire in the country club community and it seemed to work for and against Ellison. There are a number of interesting background characters, many with secrets of their own. The mystery was well executed. I suspect I figured out who the killer was at just the moment the author hoped I would. Before Ellison but not so soon to say I could see it coming a mile away. I loved the humor throughout the novel--that dry humor that sets just the right tone throughout the novel. This was such an enjoyable read, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more in the Country Club Murders. These books take place in the 70s when the Country Club life was quite exclusive, catty, and appearances were everything. Ellison Russell is a spurned wife of Henry Russell who owns a local bank. She knows about his mistress, but is staying with him because of their daughter. Every morning she heads off to the Country Club to go swimming and at the beginning of this book, she swims into the lifeless body of her husbands mistress. Of course she is the prime suspect.

      The characters in this book are wonderful. Starting with Ellison who is a painter and doesn't have much of a spine. As the book progresses, I love how she develops as a person. She starts to stand up for herself and her daughter. Her mother is one of those women that think the world revolves around them and that everything her daughters do reflect upon her. She does have her redeeming moments though. The police detective, her lawyer, the art gallery owner, friends, frenemies, housekeeper etc. are all well written and add so much to the story. I absolutely loved Mistress K, the owner of the kinky sex club. The sexual proclivities of Henry Russell, his mistress Madeline and other subs is mentioned in the book and add some comic relief. As the story progressed, more deaths occurred and they all revolved around Ellison. She needs to find out who the murderer is before she becomes the next victim.

      I could not wait to find out who done it. I finally figured it out just before it was revealed in the story. A wonderful cozy mystery that those who love cozies and those who love the 70s will enjoy.
    • 5/5
      My husband and I belong to a local country club and so when I saw this series, I thought What Fun! As I read the description, I worried because it was set back in the 70's and I didn't know if I could go there after reading books that have incorporated the newest technologies - cell phones, computers, etc.I needn't have worried. This a magnificent mystery that doesn't require the newest technology because the characters are so well-written and the mystery so absorbing that it is never missed.Ellison Russell goes to the Country Club pool at the crack of dawn everyday for the solitude but this morning she finds it occupied by the body of her husband's mistress. And things don't get any better. In trying to prove her innocence, Ellison finds herself in several amusing situations that I was forced to laugh out loud.Loved this story and the writing so I had to go and buy the next one in the series and I will be reading it next month! A different change of pace I highly recommend.
    • 4/5
      First, for those who read my blog and reviews, this really isn’t a cozy mystery. It’s somewhere between cozy and mainstream mystery, so it is a bit edgy. That being said, THE DEEP END was a really good book!Author Julie Mulhern has penned a winning story. This wonderfully written mystery was so full of gripping, fast paced drama. From the time the body is found by the protagonist, until the last page, THE DEEP END was well plotted, had complex characters, and did an amazing job of describing the 70’s country club scene.It's no wonder Ms. Mulhern was winner of The Shelia Award.  
    • 3/5
      I was looking for recommendations for humorous mysteries, and The Deep End came up several times. One thing I will say, the action raced along so fast, I couldn't stop reading and finished it in one day. Reading is subjective, not objective, so I have to say, this isn't my usual type of mystery and for me, it leaned a bit too much on the raunchy bits. There was more ugliness than I usually look for in a cozy, although I'm not at all the cats-and-tea kind of mystery reader. I do like smart, sassy women and sharp dialogue. Ellison provides all that. Oddly enough, I guessed the murderer before the end, which I usually never do. Nothing wrong with the book at all, and a lot of people really liked it; it just wasn't my usual type of book. Donating it to the library, who'll be thrilled with it since it's so recently published and a lot of people are talking about it.
    • 5/5
      I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review. I rated it 4.5 out of 5 Stars.It’s not every day a woman finds her husband’s mistress dead and floating in a country club pool but that’s exactly what happens to Ellison Russell in the first act of Julie Mulhern’s debut cozy mystery, The Dead End. Full of colorful characters, good dialogue, and taking place in the 70’s at the height of the Watergate scandal, The Dead End kept my attention from start to finish. The first book in “The Country Club Murders” series, is off to a good start.Successful artist and a country club member with the correct pedigree, Ellison Russell arrives at the club for her customary early morning swim only to discover the body of Madeline Harper, dead and floating in the pool. While Ellison could care less about Madeline, or her death, the fact she’s her husband’s mistress puts Ellison front and center in a murder investigation, a position she’d rather avoid. Forced into conducting her own investigation, Ellison soon discovers there’s a lot more to her soon to be ex than his penchant for visiting “Club Kinky”. When two more mistresses show up, and Henry disappears, Ellison learns her husband was involved in blackmail. As dead bodies start piling up, it’s clear Ellison needs to solve the mystery before she or someone she loves becomes the next victim.Ms. Mulhern does a good job developing Ellison’s character and I really enjoyed getting to know her as the story developed. While she’s a bit “frosty” and detached at first, it soon becomes apparent that Ellison has been surrounded by dominating or domineering people a good portion of her life. As the story progresses we do see Ellison begin to develop emotionally and also watch her begin to develop a backbone. I also enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Ellison’s parents, her art broker Powers, her daughter Grace, and the handsome, polite detective assigned to the case. Ms. Mulhern does a good job developing the mystery, which takes several twists and turns. I also enjoyed the “historical” aspects of the story since it takes place during the “Watergate” years and I remember being glued to the newspapers (Yes, Virginia…..this was before the internet) and the television during the investigation and political scandal that ensued. I thought Ms. Mulhern captured the “feel” of the 70’s and also emphasized the difference between the “country club” crowd and the regular people.Will Ellison discover who killed Madeline? Will Henry, Ellison’s unfaithful husband get what he deserves? And is there a possible new romance in Ellison’s future? You’ll have to read The Deep End to find out. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next book in this series.
    • 4/5
      Mulhern's take on 1974's Kansas City, MO country club scene goes a bit beyond a traditional mystery, to something with a bit more edge to it. Artist Ellison Russell has pretty much given up on men, her husband in particular and pretends to ignore his latest dalliance. Once she swims right into the body of his mistress in the country club pool, we realize Ellison is going to have to face a lot of ugly facts before the truth wins out. This was a great debut mystery, I can't decide if I should call 1974 historical or not, but Julie Mulhern touches on many issues of the day, from swinging to politics to Match Game. I could easily believe that Ellison's husband Henry had a lot of trouble accepting that his wife could make a living with her painting and as the bodies pile up, appreciated the secondary characters that kept arriving upon the scene. I was completely surprised by the reveal of the murderer (maybe too surprised?), and look forward to what seems to be the beginning of a series. I'm sure there's plenty of dirty laundry and secrets waiting for Ellison's return to the Country Club.
    • 4/5
      My morning swim doesn’t usually involve corpses. If it did, I’d give up swimming for something less stressful, like coaxing cobras out of baskets or my mother out of bed before ten.I was a bit surprised that this was a Henery Press book. I am used to reading cozy mysteries from them and this had some racier parts to it that take it out of the cozy mystery genre. There was nothing too racy but just not what I am used to from Henery Press (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).This book follows Ellison Russell after she finds the dead body of her husband's mistress. This takes place in 1974. In the beginning I didn't really like Ellison because I felt like she let everyone walk all over her, but once she found a backbone (and stood up to that mother of hers) I really started to like her. I felt like this was filled with good supporting characters too. I really liked Hunter and Detective Jones (Anarchy) and loved Ellison's relationship with each.I couldn't tell who was behind the murders until it was revealed and I wasn't all that satisfied at who it was. I did enjoy the suspense and action towards the end and especially enjoyed Ellison's conversations with Hunter and Detective Jones at the end. I am really looking forward to seeing what happens next in this series. Thanks to Netgalley and Henery Press for the galley.