Murder Comes to Lake Placid: A Review of the Novel Dancehall
In 1933, Mabel Douglass, the Dean of the New Jersey College for Women, went out on a rowing trip on Lake Placid and was never seen again. Thirty years later, on September 15, 1963, divers beneath the surface of Lake Placid discovered her body, with a rope attached to an anchor around her neck. Due to the frigid water temperature, her body was immaculately preserved, leading the divers to believe that they had discovered a mannequin. Her body rapidly began to disintegrate once it was exhumed from the water. This mysterious incident fueled rumors as to whether Mrs. Douglass was murdered or committed suicide.
This true event sparked the imagination of Bernard F. Conners, prompting him to dive into the world of scandal and murder that it suggested. He first heard of the “Lady in the Lake,” while working as a summer lifeguard at the Lake Placid Club as a teenager, and years later channeled his fascination with the subject into a novel, Dancehall,
Dancehall begins in 1962 with Ann, a young woman from New York City, who is desperately searching for a job that will allow her to be closer to her ill mother. Ann quickly finds a job that allots her a place to live while working as a waitress. Ann meets Dave Powell shortly thereafter, a handsome and charming busboy. After a long night at work, Dave brings Ann to a local hangout called “The Dancehall,” then accompanies him to his current residence, a house in the middle of Lake Placid. That is the last that anyone ever sees of Ann, until 1982 when her body surfaces from beneath Pulpit Rock. This discovery puts Dave Powell and his family into danger, and with his long kept secret about to surface, he tries to keep his life from spiraling out of control.
Dancehall is a classic mystery, and Conners is a master, carefully crafting every detail. Upon first read, you may miss some of the subtle clues and feel the ending takes a shocking turn, but pay close attention. The details are all here, and they are all intricately placed to set the reader up for this surprise ending. Conners’ intimate knowledge of the Lake Placid area also aids in building the mystery, as he depicts the dark atmosphere and various scenes of the lakeside town in meticulous detail.
Once you begin reading this novel, you won’t be able to stop. Despite the role that Powell plays, Conners has magnificently created a character that readers can’t help but sympathize with. From the beginning of Dancehall, David’s life is in turmoil. He was the last known person to see Ann alive, his child has a debilitating disease, his wife is distant, his business is going bankrupt and there is nothing that he can do. During his murder trial, Powell refuses to plead guilty at the suggestion of his lawyer. “You’re asking me to tell the whole world that I killed three people,” David says. “Think of what it would do to Sue [his wife]. To Dana [his daughter]—her father a murderer.” Conners’ characterization of David is so well-crafted that his personality shines through the novel, constantly evoking an emotional response from the reader.
Dancehall is a taut, well-crafted mystery that allows you to place yourself in the position of detective and attempt to solve the crime before it plays itself out in the surprising final pages. The book evokes a strong feeling from the reader and attaches you to the story, and its fast paced narrative will definitely keep your attention.
To read more about Dancehall, or to purchase a copy, click here.
–Juliet Barney is an Assistant Editor of The Free George.
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