One of the stars of Murder at the Pier is not two-legged, or even four-legged. It’s the pier where the dogs discover a dead body.
To me, there’s something magical about the ocean. Being on a pier heightens that sense of magic. If you guessed correctly, you know that the inspiration for this book’s setting was Ventura Pier, one of the longest wooden piers in California.
One of the most interesting facets of its history is that since being built in 1872, the pier has been burned or destroyed by storms numerous times. During one of the latest storms in 2015, 20-foot waves from an El Nino-fueled storm snapped the pier’s wooden pilings like toothpicks.
After each of Nature’s assaults, local citizens raised money to restore and maintain their “beloved” pier. The pier is now reinforced with steel pilings and remains a favorite spot for great fishing, sunset strolls, and beautiful views of the Channel Islands.
Walking down the pier, you may enjoy scenes of a father teaching his young son to fish, an elderly couple sharing stories of their youth as they read the pier’s history from posted signs, or families strolling hand in hand.
I’ve been lucky enough to watch a dolphin pod put on a show in the waters near the pier at sunset when the huge orange ball seems to sink into the Pacific. With the islands on the horizon, it created a magical moment.
Adjacent to the pier is a playground on the sand for the little ones. The boardwalk is long and makes for romantic walks. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy the beauty and dynamics of the ocean.