I got this book from the library after reading a review on LT (can’t remember whose) because I’m looking for some “new” series mysteries to read next year. I took a break from my Halloween reads yesterday because this is due back soon. This is the first in a series called “Loon Lake Fishing Mysteries” and the first fiction book written by this author. Unfortunately, it shows in her writing both in character development and in plotting. The story was okay and I rather enjoyed the fishing references (including the fishing “lessons”) since in my youth I was quite fond of fishing. A couple of the characters were well done but many seemed to be caricatures rather than real people. Houston also had the habit of “telling the reader information about the characters feelings rather than “revealing” this information which interfered with the flow of the story.

Bottom Line: Obviously I didn’t hate this book since I stayed up half the night finishing it, but I found it disappointing. It could have been a much better story in the hands of a more experienced mystery writer. I may try to find one the later books in the series (she has done 10 of them so far) to see if she develops the potential she shows in this first effort. ( )

This is the first book in the Loon Lake Fishing Mysteries. It’s almost impossible not to be drawn into a murder mystery where long time friends and acquaintances (of the protagonist) are show to be something other than what they seem on the surface. The characters are “older” for the most part, the dentist turned armature detective (Doc Osborne) is retired and the rest of the main and supporting characters are 45 or older as near as I can tell. In most books that are small town murder mysteries, the lead characters are much younger (mid twenties to mid thirties usually), I enjoyed that because it allowed the characters to have a lot more life experience than normally can be had by any one character without unusual circumstances (like being a genius or some resorting to some unrealistic reason for their aptitude and life experience). These are people who haven’t led a life of tragedy…normal, likeable small town folk (who enjoy fishing)…the town and its residents come with the usual quirky characters and the normal jerks…the book is loaded with wonderful visual imagery that is thoroughly enjoyable…half of what makes this book interesting are the descriptions of the fishing locations (and I don’t even LIKE fishing!)…but the mystery itself is as engaging as the characters! I didn’t expect to enjoy this, but I did.

Overall, a fun read. I love that Houston really made a world that feels real and interesting…these aren’t perfect cookie cutter characters, they are flawed, have issues, and actually have lives and interests outside of their “jobs.” It’s rare to find such a wonderful combination of characters, setting, and crime that really feels like it could happen and where the reader feels like Loon Lake is a real place. I give it 4 stars and two thumbs up! I’m looking forward to enjoying more in this series.

Loon Lake, Wisconsin's newly appointed Chief of Police, Lewellyn Ferris, is a tough-as-nails crime fighter and a fly fishing wonder. And when she reels in a dead body, she gets an opportunity to put all her talents to work....whether the death is accidental or accidentally on purpose--Lewellen is determined to reel in the truth.