Dead Insider

“In Loon Lake, Wisconsin, a woman is murdered, her body discovered under a bridge. But Lew Ferris, chief of police, has his mind on another case—a local woman claims she’s being stalked. Is the woman, a former nun with possible psychological problems, imagining it, or is someone really terrorizing her? The latest Loon Lake mystery, like its predecessors, depends on its characters to propel readers through the story: Lew, Doc Osborne, likable Ray Pradt (who, in this book, is angling for a part on a new reality TV show about ice fishermen), and the newcomers, alleged stalker victim Patience Schumacher and her husband, Charles Mason. The nice thing about the book is that fans of the series will enjoy reuniting with some old friends, and newcomers can jump right in and have a great time. Mysteries set in small midwestern towns (Mary Logue’s Claire Watkins novels and William Kent Kreuger’s Cork O’Connor series, among others) have become a definite trend. Recommend Houston to fans of this thriving subgenre.”—Booklist

“After a woman fails to return home after snowshoeing in the forest outside Loon Lake, WI, police chief Lewellyn Ferris finds her body in the snow. In her 11th series entry (after Dead Renegade), Houston does an outstanding job of crafting a good plot and entangling her rural protagonists in real-life situations.”—Library Journal