In shock, Michael hears the county coroner declare it a clear case of suicide. Later, Michael finds reasons to doubt the official conclusion. No blade or knife is found in the bathroom with the body, and Michael finds the makings of their usual dinner in the refrigerator. What man is going to put pork chops in to marinate only an hour or so before killing himself? Why was the dog locked in the bathroom with him? And who was the mysterious visitor who came to see Jack shortly before his death?

When a friend of Jack's dies shortly afterward, also in suspicious circumstances, Michael decides to do some investigating. What he finds shocks and horrifies him. There has been a series of "unnatural" deaths in the past two years, all written off as accidents or suicide, all the victims elderly. The policeman Michael shares his concerns with angrily refuses to investigate, proving himself to be either an accomplice or an idiot, and Michael is left to see the case through with the help of a librarian who has a knack for getting information.

This was smooth and readable, pleasant enough, but bland. The characters are flat, and while the mystery (particularly the research) held some interest, the solution is rather too simple. There's not much of a challenge, and Michael Carpo is so incredibly dull-witted at one point that it strained credulity. I felt like I was watching one of those movies where you're screaming at the picture "no, don't do that," "don't turn your back," and such. What hurts Dead of Summer is not anything particularly – bad – about it, but rather the lack of any sparkle to make it uniquely enjoyable or memorable.

--Jeri Wright