On Flashback Fridays I will share with you
the books I was not able to review
when they were first released that have been screaming at me
from my To-Be-Read bookshelf.
Spider Lake: A Northern Lakes Mystery
Traditional Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Wisconsin
Publisher : Feet Wet Writing (December 2, 2019)
Hardcover : 298 pages
ISBN-10 : 1736337319
ISBN-13 : 978-1736337318
Paperback : 292 pages
ISBN-10 : 1960681079
ISBN-13 : 978-1960681072
Kindle ASIN : B08162LD23
A missing federal agent, suitcases full of cash, a secluded cabin in the woods. Spider Lake is no longer the peaceful retreat John Cabrelli needs to recover from gunshot wounds and start a new life. Knowing Cabrelli is a former law enforcement officer, the new chief of police recruits him to help untangle a string of strange events in the little town of Musky Falls. Cabrelli and a colorful team of local residents land in the center of a fast-paced action thriller with a surprise ending that’s sure to make your head spin.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We are back in Musky Falls with former Madison cop John Cabrelli. He is still recovering from the gunshot wounds he suffered in Book 1, Figure Eight. There are many ramifications to what happened in that book including some crimes still under investigation. The new police chief asks for John’s help as he tries to wrap up all the loose ends and new crimes that may still arise. Soon several Musky Falls locals are involved and John learns how much Spider Lake, the quiet restful place of his youth, has changed, and not for the good.
John Cabrelli is a flawed human being and he knows it. A mistake made on the job turned him into a different man. He is less confident, has nightmares, second-guesses himself, and is unsure of the path his life is supposed to take. Right now he just wants to relax at the cabin on Spider Lake that he inherited from his Uncle Nick, but he now knows his uncle’s death was murder and he has to find the killer before he will be able to have any peace. The author has surrounded his main character with interesting friends, colleagues, and residents of the small Wisconsin town. They are all developing naturally and the dialogue rings true to me.
I enjoy how Mr. Nania brings the beauty of The Northwoods of Wisconsin alive. Fishing on Spider Lake or just sitting on the dock with a cup of coffee sounds delightful. Sadly it seems criminals find the place delightful too.
The mystery has a slow build as the investigations develop and more clues fall into place. I got caught up in the story because it wasn’t just about trying to find the killer. We observed John’s daily life, enjoying the lake, trying to figure out the women in his life, and welcoming a group of student bird watchers trying to document the rare Kirtland Warbler. That being said all those things were surrounded by events that drove the investigation forward by the chief of police, the sheriff, John, and another civilian because other than themselves, they trusted no one. The suspense became intense when a request to an old friend blew open the case in a huge way. Suddenly I was unable to put this book down. It grabbed me and I stayed up late to finish the book. An exciting ending had me on the edge of my seat. An epilogue tells us the aftermath and sets up readers for the next book.
I had purchased this series for my husband and he loved it and had been after me to read them. I am so happy that I listened to him. Figure Eight was a compelling read and I couldn’t wait to read Spider Lake and now I have devoured that. I have
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About the Author
Jeff Nania is a former law enforcement officer, writer, conservationist, and biofuel creator. He is the best-selling author of three fiction books, the award-winning Figure Eight (2019), Spider Lake (2020), and Bough Cutter (2021) in his Northern Lakes Mystery series published by Little Creek Press. His narrative non-fiction writing has appeared in Wisconsin Outdoor News, Double Gun Journal, The Outlook, and other publications.
Jeff was born and raised in Wisconsin. His family settled in Madison’s storied Greenbush neighborhood. His father often loaded Jeff, his brothers, and a couple of dogs into an old jeep station wagon and set out for outdoor adventures. These experiences were foundational for developing a sense of community, a passion for outdoor traditions, and a love of our natural resources.
Jeff has been recognized locally, statewide, and nationally. Outdoor Life Magazine named him as one of the nation’s 25 most influential conservationists, and he received the National Wetlands Award for his wetland restoration work. The Wisconsin Senate commended Jeff with a Joint Resolution for his work with wetlands, education, and as a non-partisan advisor on natural resources.
Now a full-time novelist, Jeff spends as much time as possible exploring outdoor Wisconsin with his friends and family.
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I am giving away 1 Kindle Copy of Spider Lake!
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The Contest Will End May 3, at 11:59 PM CST
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and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
*Amazon Purchase
