A Dance in Deep Water

Despite the strong lead character, a weak supporting cast undermines this third outing (Icewater Mansions; Black Water) for Michelle ""Mitch"" Mitchell. Mitch is a professional deep-sea diver now in dry dock in Michigan, where she's trying to make a go of the Crow's Nest--a bar/restaurant/tackle shop inherited from her father. She's also trying to make a new start with her 11-year-old son, Corey, as well as attempting to seize the chance to learn more about her own largely unknown past. A chance encounter with a woodcarver sets her on a dangerous path along which she will learn more about her mother's life and death--but only after run-ins with dogs, bikers, a right-wing paramilitary group known as the Third Coast Militia and an American-Vietnamese friendship group (Amerasian Outreach). Mitch gets a chance to use her diving skills (and survival skills) on a flooded Upper Peninsula mining site once worked by her deceased father and plenty of chances to uncover a slew of secrets others want to keep hidden. Allyn mines the U.P. setting nicely, and the climax is both harrowing and suspenseful. Unfortunately, Mitch is surrounded by too many insubstantial characters, from Corey to stereotypical biker thugs and right-wing zealots. (Dec.)