Death in Rough Water is the second book in the Merry Folger mystery series set on Nantucket Island. In the first book Merry proved to herself and her police chief father that she is competent as a detective. Now she is further challenged to solve the murder of a dear friend. Joe Duarte was a traditional Portuguese fisherman with his own fishing boat and business. He died in a storm on board his ship, while fighting with his first mate Jackie Alcantraras, without a chance to reconcile with his estranged daughter Adelia or to meet his granddaughter Sara. Adelia returns to Nantucket and asks Merry Folger to investigate Joe's death. Merry knows first mate Jackie is hiding something, and she sets out to acquire evidence to prove wrong-doing. When her childhood friend is killed, Merry is devastated. A bomb sets off a fire that destroys the town pier and the expensive yachts in harbor. Forbidden to work on the case of her friend's murder, Merry works on solving the town pier explosion and fire. She uncovers secret motives and relationships that connect all the recent violent events. She also finds love, but is afraid of succumbing to its power.
