Helpful Score: 1
I've heard it said that it takes a lifetime to write your first book and you only have six months to get the next one out, well that is exactly how this one felt after reading the first Starvation Lake mystery, waiting expectantly for this one and being disappointed in the slow pace and real lack of plot.
Once again, the readers are back in Starvation Lake with Gus Carpenter, editor of the Pine County Pilot, where Gracie McBride, the girl who left town eighteen years earlier is found hanging from the said "Hanging Tree". The tree where the local teens hang shoes to mark memorable moments in their lives.
The problem is that Gus does not see Gracie's death as a suicide. Things just are not adding up and with the influence of a new resident in town and Gracie's less than savory past, the new owners of the newspaper want to quickly put Gracie's death to rest and move on with the new goings on in town.
Overall, the book was flat to me. No real climatic moment, nothing that really stood out as a redemption moment that would have made the whole reading experience worthwhile.
Very much a disappointment after I had so enjoyed the first book in this series.
Once again, the readers are back in Starvation Lake with Gus Carpenter, editor of the Pine County Pilot, where Gracie McBride, the girl who left town eighteen years earlier is found hanging from the said "Hanging Tree". The tree where the local teens hang shoes to mark memorable moments in their lives.
The problem is that Gus does not see Gracie's death as a suicide. Things just are not adding up and with the influence of a new resident in town and Gracie's less than savory past, the new owners of the newspaper want to quickly put Gracie's death to rest and move on with the new goings on in town.
Overall, the book was flat to me. No real climatic moment, nothing that really stood out as a redemption moment that would have made the whole reading experience worthwhile.
Very much a disappointment after I had so enjoyed the first book in this series.
Vivian Q. (bellasgranny) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is the second book in Gruley's Starvation Lake series. It is a welcome addition that is very well written and has an engrossing story line. You need not have read the first book in order to enjoy this one. You are pulled immediately into the story of the apparent suicide of one of Starvation Lake's own who returns home after a 20 year absence. Great characters, setting and love of the game of amateur hockey round out the story well. Can't wait for the next entry. Very highly recommend.
I thought this second book in the Starvation Lake series was even better than the first one. I liked everything about this book: the locale, the small town vibe, the MC Gus who's the editor of the weekly paper and his determination to get to the heart of the story. And when a young woman is found hanging from the local shoe tree it really hits close to home since she is Gus' cousin. The ME says it's suicide but Gus isn't so sure. A very enjoyable read.
The mystery was good but only if you love, love, love hockey would you find it enjoyable. I would never read another of his books as I understand they are all full of hockey.
Surprising ending in this one. I have read several of Bryan's books and hope he will write many more!
