The failing of the book lies not in a lack of attention to scientific detail but in the depiction of scenes of life and death in the marine world with emotional overtones that reduce the credibility of the work.

In the original sentence, the modifier "with emotional overtones" modifies the depiction of scenes. Please note that "of life and death in the marine world" describes the scenes.


(C) depiction of scenes of life and death in the marine world, whose emotional overtones

Now in choice C - the modifier "whose emotional overtone" modifies the closest noun and hence changes the intended meaning of the sentence.

Thus, A is the correct answer.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have further questions about this.

Regards,

Payal Tandon