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I Left That Possibility Open
Mystery at the Edge of the World follows a retired civil engineer in coastal California whose peaceful retirement is disrupted when he’s drawn into a murder investigation. What inspired the premise of the story?
I’ve thought about using an engineer as the protagonist in a mystery novel for a number of years. In this book, Jace is retired with a comfortable pension, so he doesn’t need to worry about making a living, which frees him to spend whatever time is needed to solve puzzles.
What made you choose a retired engineer, rather than a former police officer or detective, as your amateur sleuth?
There are many mystery stories, in fact, series of stories, where the sleuth is a doctor, a mathematician, a novelist, a lawyer, or even a clergyman. We live in a world full of infrastructure, and there are many stories that could be made from the world of construction alone, never mind all the other interactions people have with the engineered facilities around them, along with each other. But someone has to be at least a little versed in engineering in order to write about an engineer investigating a crime. There is, in fact, an entire discipline called ‘forensic engineering’ which looks at the causes of infrastructure failure, and can unearth criminal activity in the process. So, for me, this subgenre of an amateur engineer sleuth seems under-represented in literature, and looked like a field I could write in, while being entertaining and human at the same time.
Did you know who the culprit was before you started writing, or did the investigation evolve as you went?
I did not have the culprit pegged when I started writing. I left that possibility open as I wrote it, but towards the end, the red herrings swam away, and the culprit remained.
The ending leaves room for more adventures. Do you already know where Jace’s next case might take him?
Yes. I just finished the next novel, Mystery at the Hidden River, where Jace is invited to help with a case that eventually proves to be industrial espionage – and murder.
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Mystery at the Edge of the World
Mystery at the Edge of the World, by J. Clifford Barnes, is a cozy, small-town mystery centered on Jace Carter, a recently retired civil engineer living in the foggy coastal community of Inglesee, California. Jace expects retirement to consist of gardening, fishing, good coffee, and quiet afternoons, but the disappearance of his former coworker, Al Meyers, pulls him into a murder investigation. The book combines an amateur detective story with the comfortable rhythms of everyday life, giving readers a mystery that feels relaxed and approachable even when the stakes become serious.
Jace is an appealing narrator because he’s observant, practical, and refreshingly ordinary. He doesn’t have special training as an investigator, but his engineering background helps him organize facts and notice connections. His dry humor also makes his voice enjoyable. When describing his retirement strategy, he says, “The key is to not go anywhere.” That line captures his personality well. He enjoys his peaceful routine, but he’s curious enough to leave it behind when something doesn’t add up. His gardening, meals, naps, and coffee-shop visits make him feel like a person with a full life rather than simply a character moving from clue to clue.
The mystery begins with Al’s strange interest in geopolymers and the large amount of money he wants to invest. Barnes uses Jace’s professional knowledge to explain the material and its possible uses without separating the information from the story. As Jace learns more about Al’s money, his abrupt retirement, and his frightened behavior, the investigation expands naturally. The discovery of Al’s body raises the tension, while the missing funds provide a clear trail for Jace and Detective Sam Roblee to follow. The technical and financial details give the case an unusual identity and fit well with Jace’s experience.
The coastal setting adds plenty of atmosphere. Inglesee is filled with mist, Victorian houses, cliffs, local businesses, and familiar residents who make the town feel lived in. The plot also maintains a conversational pace, moving between interviews, domestic routines, and moments of danger. A shooting at Jace’s home gives the later chapters a sharper edge, and the final confrontation delivers an energetic payoff. Jace’s conclusion that “There is no peace for the wicked” neatly expresses the book’s view of guilt, greed, and the consequences of believing stolen money can create a better future.
Mystery at the Edge of the World is an inviting amateur detective novel with a distinctive older protagonist and an interesting construction-industry angle. Its strongest quality is the way it blends murder, engineering, retirement, and community life into one consistent story. Jace solves the case by paying attention to people, timing, money, and small inconsistencies, which makes the resolution feel connected to everything that came before it. The ending also leaves him open to future investigations, and his combination of patience, technical knowledge, and quiet curiosity could carry him through many more mysteries.
Pages: 101 | ASIN : B0H3GVPW3G
