The thrills that many true-crime fans experience come from the details of the crime, the investigation, and the resolution through the trial and conviction of the perpetrators. For many crimes, though, details may be scant, investigations slow, and justice not forthcoming.

When Nathan Carman was suspected of first killing his grandfather, John Chakalos, and then his mother, Linda Carman, the physical evidence was all but lacking and the possible motivations murky. And just when it seemed that justice might be finally served, Nathan took his own life in a jail cell, leaving behind more questions than answers. The murder of John and the disappearance of Linda both remain unsolved. But in BLOOD IN THE WATER, true-crime writer Casey Sherman still manages to deliver a compelling examination of Nathan and the family drama.

"[E]ven without a neat set of answers, the book is well worth the read for its balanced and well-researched approach to a complicated family and three tragic deaths."

Nathan’s short life was full of complications, whether or not he was a murderer. He was diagnosed with autism, which often loomed large in the various investigations and was expressed in a demeanor that was hard for many to understand and find patience for. His father, Clark, who was one of the many people Sherman interviewed for the book, shares that Nathan had no friends and spent much of his time alone. As the eldest grandchild and first grandson, Nathan was beloved by his grandfather. John and his wife had four daughters of their own. He was a demanding parent and businessman who had built a fortune for his family.

The relationships in the Chakalos family were often tense and emotional, with money and resources a source of conflict. John’s affection for Nathan only added to these tensions as he showered him with money. Despite his lack of education and experience, and his inconsistent and often troubling behaviors, John named him the heir apparent to the family’s lucrative business. When John is found shot to death in his bed, it begins to expose some family secrets and places a teenage Nathan in the legal crosshairs.

But it is really a few years later, when 22-year-old Nathan’s fishing boat --- carrying himself and his mother --- sinks, that people, including various investigators, take a very close look at him. After Nathan seemingly survives a week at sea, he says that as the boat went down, he lost sight of his mother. Linda’s body has never been found.

There is plenty to suggest that Nathan had something to do with the deaths of his grandfather and mother. But police were never able to prove it, and 29-year-old Nathan died while awaiting trial for his mother’s death. Questions remain, and Sherman tackles them head on. They make for an interesting and baffling story.

BLOOD IN THE WATER is a straightforward and fascinating look into these crimes and Nathan’s potential role in them. Sherman does a good job considering the ways in which Nathan’s autism made many people prejudiced against him but also how other possible diagnoses may explain acts of violence and antisocial behavior. It is not just the deaths of his grandfather and mother that remain obscure but his as well. Still, even without a neat set of answers, the book is well worth the read for its balanced and well-researched approach to a complicated family and three tragic deaths.