Irini Asimakopoulos was the wife of a local fisherman and her body was found at the bottom of a cliff. Her husband Andreas is devastated, and the Chief of Police Panayiotis Zafiridis believes Irini's death was a suicide. This does not sit will with Hermes and he continues to investigate.
Through flashback we learn the hard life the islanders face. Very little industry, some tourism, foul weather (despite being in the Greek islands chain) and a sense of hopelessness. For the wives of fishermen, there are days of loneliness and for those without much family, not much to do but clean the house again and again.
Irini's life is repetitious and boring, but she is happy to have the fresh fish on her table and the money Andreas earns when he returns from his trips. She yearns for more and before long, she meets Theo Hatzistratis, a handsome, but married local carpenter. There's something in his eyes that tells her he is unhappy with his life and she begins to daydream about them together.
Originally I listened to the audio version of the book, but because the story evolves through flashback, it is sometimes difficult to follow while listening. I had to switch to the book version.
Zouroudi captures the male-centric culture that still thrives in Greece and the hopelessness of women even those who are lucky enough to be married. Family loyalty and honor are hugely important and can sometimes lead to serious consequences.
Hermes pursues his murder theory and makes some in the village very uncomfortable. He slowly gathers information for some of the more reclusive islanders and pieces together who is responsible for the crime in a startling conclusion.
There is something almost unreal about Hermes and his pursuit of the truth, but the reader must accepts this or the story doesn't work.
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