Murder in the Primary: A murder mystery with added interest for us

I have always laughed at the fact that the most-read news clippings we ever share in the Bulletin are the ones that mention a dead body in the sewers. So I was delighted to be contacted by fiction writer John Seldon with a murder mystery centred around a body found in the sewers. John’s technical references are spot on, as he was a wastewater professional before he was a writer of mysteries. I asked long-time CWWA member and contributor Paul Drca to read the book and let us all know what he thought. Thanks Paul, and congratulations John for being able to blend your two professions.  Robert

Murder in the Primary: A novel by John Seldon 

A review by:
Paul Drca, Manager Environmental Quality, City of Windsor

Walter Stillwell is the Superintendent of the wastewater treatment plant in Port Talbot, Ontario, a community on the central basin north shore of Lake Erie maybe a one hour drive south of London. 

As is the case with many wastewater treatment professionals, he owes much of his career success to devotion to his job and to following a strict regimen of monitoring the facility’s water quality, operations and maintenance. Since his wife passed away, Walter’s habit of routine has entered his private life too and he seems quite content with this. The daily routines end quickly for Walter on a Thursday morning when he receives a call from the plant foreman ...”There was a body, a man, in the east primary” ....”Dead, apparently”.

The police investigation commences and Walter finds himself getting more and more involved in the pursuit of the murderer.  With his daily routines cast aside, he often finds himself being more concerned about the facility’s regulatory compliance and public image than he is about the murdered man and being a possible suspect. Along the way, Walter finds that his co-workers, a trusted team he thought he knew well, have secrets, secrets he never expected, but is one of them a murderer? 

Murder in the Primary is a good, entertaining and easy read. The story becomes more interesting as it progresses and, if you are a wastewater professional, do not be surprised at times if you find a bit of yourself in Walter. Recommendation: pick up a copy of Murder in the Primary; you will enjoy it.          

Get the book here: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1772441880

Author: John Seldon

Canadian Water and Wastewater Association