Patrick F. McManus (1933–2018)

This is the second Bo Tully story I have read and it's even more enjoyable than the first. The interplay between the characters, Bo father and ex-sheriff who made a fortune as a corrupt sheriff, Lurch, his CSI, Daisy, the secretary, and Herb, the under-sheriff, is charming and humorous.

Bo is called to a resort in the mountains to investigate the disappearance of the co-owner. On the way they are barely missed by an avalanche which we soon learn was deliberately aimed at his vehicle. No more show more spoilers. The series is a lot of fun, and I intend to read all of them. Reminiscent of the delightful "liturgical" mysteries by Mark Schweizer that are often laugh-out-loud funny. show less

I've read so many cop books, it seems, where the main character is full of angst, bitterness, and sheer idiocy, as in the book above. It's like we're not allowed to read about decent, steady men and women who do their jobs competently. Not that I don't allow a character a mistake, or emotion. But I want to occasionally read about good folks. McManus delivers. Even though this is book 6 in the series, I didn't have any trouble slipping into the setting, although it helps that I think I know show more that town... I certainly knew some of the folks he writes about, despite never having lived in Idaho, myself. Bo Tully, the sherrif and main character, isn't really sure he wants to be a cop any more, but he doesn't hang his hat on that and mourn. He gets the job done, and the constellation of characters around him shine brightly as well. This book was a treat, and although McManus, who is known for his humor, slips some sly funny stuff in, this isn't a silly book. show less

If you enjoyed Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods, you'll love this book. From his childhood in rural Idaho to his adventures with his family as an experienced outdoorsman, Pat McManus has to be the funniest outdoor writer ever. I spent my time either nodding my head in agreement (his comparison of old-fashioned misery camping and modern ultralight luxury camping was classic) to rolling on the floor laughing (his description of his childhood bicycle had me howling).

Each chapter is a show more stand-alone vignette written for publication in Field & Stream magazine. They hold together well, however, with only occasional minor repetitions in description. Themes and characters run through the entire book, such as boyhood independence and characters such as his dog, Strange, and his mentor, Rancid Crabtree. Altogether I can't wait to read the next book he wrote, They Shoot Canoes, Don't They? Perfect escapist reading when your reading list gets a little to heavy. show less

This volume of short stories contains what is most likely my favorite Patrick McManus story of all, the story that shares its name with the book. All in all, this volume of McManus stories is right on par with his many others. It's a bit light on Crazy Eddie Muldoon and Rancid Crabtree stories, my favorite brand of McManus stories, but it is still chock full of the outlandish outdoor adventures that McManus is known for. I think the one difference between this and stories he's done before is show more the quiet presence of an almost melancholy longing for a bygone era in his life. Never is this more evident than in the title story, "Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing".

Pat decides to take a elderly friend he calls "the old man" out for a day of grouse hunting, during which he witnesses everyone swooning over his adorable senior companion while Pat gets a steady peppering of criticism from the same old codger everyone is so enamored with. Pat stoically endures however, hinting at a great indebted respect he feels toward the old man. Through it all are the understated reminders that things have changed, that the local wilderness of Pat's glory days is long gone, and that the onslaught of progress isn't through with this community yet. From the changes that have overtaken Pat's favorite local eatery to the housing developments that have sprung up in nearly all of Pat's former hunting grounds, nothing has remained the same.

Only a master storyteller like McManus could so unsuspectingly interweave such a heavy sense of forlorn remembrance with truly innocent colloquial humor that leaves the reader feeling a bit giddy, yet simultaneously thoughtful. It's a reminder of the quality that McManus has been offering up for decades and a hopeful hint of the richness that's still to come. show less