Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Bookworm: You won’t regret giving Loon Lake mystery a shot
When you think back about your life, what do you regret?
For many of us, it’s one of two things: something we did or something we didn’t. And it doesn’t matter who we are, where we live, what path we chose or how much money we earn, we still have regrets.
Former-orthodontist-now-forensic-dentist Paul Osborne has had his share, too, but he doesn’t have time to focus on them. In “Dead Hot Shot” by Victoria Houston (c.2008, Bleak House Books, $14.95 paperback, $24.95 hardcover, 240 pages), Paul is too busy to dwell on the path not chosen because someone is killing his friends and neighbors.
Rumors around the northern Wisconsin town of Loon Lake were that the Reece house was more than just a house. Built to resemble a lumber baron’s lodge, it boasted imported timbers and a cement roof, and people whispered that it cost millions. Surrounding the mansion were a tennis court, a putting green and a private lake.
That lake is where Nolan Marsdon Reece drowned, her corpulent body in three feet of water, an abrasion across her face. Her husband insisted she was killed by lightning, but nobody fights lightning and breaks her nails in the struggle.
But before Osborne and his girlfriend, Loon Lake Police Chief Lew Ferris, can fully investigate Nolan’s murder, someone else is killed. Ninety-six-year-old Mildred Taggert is found dead in the parking lot of her general store, shot in the head with a hunting rifle.
As Paul and Lew begin to question everyone who was at the mansion on the night of the drowning, they learn that Mildred’s foster daughters are curiously involved in the Reece family. Frances and Josie Dark Sky were Nolan’s “projects,” and she planned to adopt the teens. While Nolan favored charming, young Josie, Mildred had taken Frances under her wing and seemed to have affection for the girl. Blue, Nolan’s daughter, thought both sisters were just plain strange.
As he assists with the investigation, memories come flooding back to Paul. Nolan Reece was controlling, a lot like his late ex-wife. The troubled Dark Sky sisters reminded him of his own nearly estranged daughter. And then there’s Lew. Will he regret revealing his feelings for her?
If you’ve never read any of the Loon Lake mysteries, you’re in for a treat. If you’re already a fan of author Victoria Houston’s series, this book is a little different.
Many of the players will be familiar, but this novel focuses more on Dr. Paul Osborne and I liked that. Paul is contemplative and stoic, a man’s man but with a soft spot as big as a muskie. I truly enjoyed getting to know this character better, and I’m looking forward to seeing him again in future Loon Lake mysteries.
If you have a yen for a whodunit without excessive violence, gore or four-letter words, pick up your very own copy of “Dead Hot Shot” and give it a shot. You won’t regret it.
Terri Schlichenmeyer lives in the La Crosse area and reviews books as The Bookworm.
Send her messages via realtime@lacrossetribune.com.
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