Cold Lake

Only read 6 chapters, I am not a fan of books that are very descriptive. I do not want to waste my time reading about things that, in my opinion, have nothing to do with the story. Most of the time I just skim over that stuff, but when I skim over most of the first chapter….. And I don’t like sex or romance in my thrillers!!

I have read all the David Wolf novels by Jeff Carson…and will continue to do so as long as he writes them! This novel is edgier in its violence in that the body count is high AND the graphic manner in which the deaths were portrayed than Carson’s earlier works. All his books are suspenceful, and I really like that. I would rather not have the graphic violence and shock value in these poor victims’ demise, but then that’s just me.

David Wolf continues with his on-again, off-again relationship with his ex-wife and tries to maintain a relationship with his now dour teenage son. There is a real shocker around this storyline, which begs for another novel to clear up the situation. Never saw that twist coming; as a matter of fact, there are plot twists in this book to outfool almost anyone. I was completely taken off-guard, which is good. If we like suspence, then we don’t want too much formula where we guess every turn.

The novel make so many twists, as a matter of fact, that I don’t really know if there will be another one in this series or if this may be the last. It could go either way. Wolf doggedly pursues different leads in and around the nearby alpine lake, is outsmarted, if temporarily, by a young woman whom he shouldn’t be attracted to, who is involved in the mystery, and shadow-boxes in the woods and a woodlands home with someone…no one…a ghost? He can’t seem to get a read on this missing character but seems to be played everytime he investigates the environs.

If you don’t mind gruesome murder victims, then this, as always, is a good story and will keep you turning pages to see who’s the good guy and who’s the bad. That’s not easy to tell in this one.

Always on the lookout for good novelists, I tried based on the preponderance of good reviews. I like detective stories with a surprise ending, which this is, and it held my interest well enough for me to see it through. I was not disappointed but not thrilled either, hence three stars.

Im frankly perplexed by reviewers who objected to the alleged graphic sex, violence, and language. Its a murder mystery, for godssakes, and in most murder mysteries someone gets murdered. Carson describes crime scenes well while exercising discretion. Heaven forbid the objectors should read Stephen King.

I enjoyed the authors knowledge of forensics. Either that or he bluffs wellI know nothing of the subject. Im inclined to believe he did his homework.

Carson brings to life the Colorado mountain town setting. Made me want to visit the town. That said, the setting is the novels only fully developed character. The hero included, I neither knew nor liked the others any better by the novels end than at its start.

The prose is skillful overall, however, I was distracted by the occasional misused word, dangling phrase, and simile that tried too hard. To be fair, such are infrequent.

My reaction to the twist at the end was not so much omg as, Oh. That.

As I said, it held my interest. You may love it. Moreover, my hat is off to anyone who can pull off a novel. Its harder than it looks. I have tried, and failed, many times. My criticism notwithstanding, I envy Carsons talent.

Just a great read.

This one starts with Sheriff Wolf who’s running for Sheriff.

His county, Sluice County, is being merged with Byron County who has a Sheriff. MacLean by name. He and wolf are running for the Sheriffs job.

Wolf isn’t really concerned with running for office. He and his ex Sarah are coming together again and he’s more concerned with where it will go than he is with running for Sheriff.

He’s giving it a shot though but MacLean is trying to upstage him at every turn.

MacLean is followed by news men and those who want him elected as Sheriff to the new merged counties. Nothing is beneath him when it comes to winning the election, even attempting blackmail.

Wolf is doing his best to ignore the man but MacLean makes sure he’s wherever Wolf is so he can upstage him.

A man fishing in Cold Lake pulls up a head. The head belongs to a young man who disappeared twenty two years ago. It was a case Wolf’s Father worked. A case that baffled him for years. Wolf is wondering just how many more bodies are at the bottom of Cold Lake.

So begins one damned fine read.

This on has Wolf, Sarah, a twenty two year old mystery, a woman named Kimber, bodies, murder, one insane woman, Wolf’s deputies, a cliff, a MacLean who will do just about anything to get elected, a Senator, Wolf’s campaign manager, Wolf’s son Jack, a couple of PI’s, missing people, a man with an interest in Sarah, a Sarah who lies about the man, a badly hurt Wolf and one hell of a story with one hell of an ending.

Five Stars and then some.

This is my third book by Jeff Carson book and I am enjoying this outstanding character Sheriff David Wolfe, also his colleagues, Paterson and Rachette. Wolfe, the strong silent type, but always on the ball, when it comes to investigating and solving the crimes that come his way. Steadfast and loyal, Paterson and Rachette, were always there when he needs them. The storyline was well thought out and written in a way that really has the reader totally gripped and interested also very descriptive.
I know this is a cliche, but I couldnt put this book down. Since this book, I have read five other books by this author. From the start of each and every book, I could almost feel I was a part of the descriptive scenes of Colorado. Wonderful.

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