On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
I am really trying to get caught up on this series.
Dead Loudmouth (A Loon Lake Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
16th in the Series
Setting – Wisconsin
Gallery Books (June 1, 2016)
Paperback: 206 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1440568442
Kindle ASIN: B01ENYMB64
It’s a bright summer morning in Loon Lake when Police Chief Lewellyn Ferris is called to the scene of a horrific accident that occurred in the dead of night at a local gentleman’s club. The club is owned by one of the victims, a member of the private Deer Creek Fishing and Hunting Preserve and the scion of a wealthy Wisconsin family. When the county coroner is unavailable due to a car accident, Chief Ferris deputizes her close friend and fellow fly-fisherman, retired dentist “Doc” Osborne, to step in.
Osborne’s discovery of mysterious footprints confirms Chief Ferris’s suspicions: this is no accident; it’s murder. Leaning on Doc Osborne for his forensic and interrogation skills, Lew also hopes to enlist the help of Ray Pradt, fishing guide and expert tracker. But Ray’s time is limited as he is coaching the University of Wisconsin’s fishing team in a muskie fishing tournament. Things get complicated when Doc Osborne’s granddaughter disappears on the first day of the tournament. Sunny June days turn dark as a desperate search ensues.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning.
This time Police Chief Lewellyn Ferris is called to a gentleman’s club for two dead bodies. With the regular coroner is involved in a car accident on the way to the scene, Lew calls in “Doc” Osborne to look over the situation to determine if it was a freak accident or murder that left two people dead. She also calls in expert tracker, Ray Pradt, to advise on the case. Ray only has about an hour to scan the scene as he is coaching a team from the University of Wisconsin in a fishing tournament. He has even enlisted “Doc”‘s 11 year-old granddaughter to help with the tackle and food.
Lew is busy investigating the two deaths when she gets a frantic call that “Doc”‘s granddaughter is missing and so is one of Ray’s kayaks. Never a dull moment in Loon Lake which leaves very little time for fly fishing.
Ms. Houston’s love for fishing and the great outdoors again sings throughout story. The details unfold effortlessly and bring the rivers and forests to life. It would be so relaxing and calm if it wasn’t for those darn dead people. 🙂 She described the scene in the gentleman’s club as well, painting a picture of death I don’t think I will soon forget. A truly crazy way to die.
The main characters have become like friends over the series. For some reason I had in my head that Ray was older but that is neither here nor there. The are wonderfully real with every day issues in addition to the main plot. I liked getting to know Mason, Dr. Osborne’s granddaughter and that at just 11 years old she loves to fish with her grandpa, just like I did when I was that age. It was so easy to picture her in those waders. She has a harrowing experience that could change the way she feels but with the family she has to support her she seems to be alright.
The plot was crisp, with many suspects, due to some illegal shenanigans happening at the club. I was kept guessing right up until the end. Time passes quickly and so does the turning of the pages. It clearly portrays a small town that needs to call in a crime lab from a larger town to help them work the case. Of course the guy loves to fly fish so he is happy to help them out.
Another terrific escape from this author, just a few actual hours from home.
To find out more bout Victoria Houston visit her webpage here.
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This book was from my private collection.