Dead Lil' Hustler: A Loon Lake Mystery
When kayakers find a skeleton in the Nicolet National Forest near Loon Lake, Wisconsin, Police Chief Lewellyn Ferris begins a murder investigation. Soon after, at the request of her father, she undertakes a search for a missing graduate student, Liam Barber, who is finally found, shot to death in this same remote area. Complicating matters, this part of the forest is a wolf rendezvous site where wolves gather to raise their young. Even though Lew’s friend Doc Osborne is worried about his gravely ill grandson, he is able to help out as deputy coroner. With the help of Doc, fishing guide Ray Pradt, the county sheriff, and the FBI, Lew is able to connect the cases and catch two murderers. Populated with well-drawn characters and framed with a portrait of life in small-town Wisconsin, lovingly described wilderness areas, fly-fishing details (including the Japanese fly-fishing technique tenkara), and the particulars of wolf behavior, this mystery will appeal to fans of Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon novels, each of which takes place in a national park. --Sue OBrien--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.