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Lake Country
“Sean Doolittle is a young writer with serious chops,” says George Pelecanos, and Laura Lippman calls him “hip, smart, and mordantly funny.” Now the acclaimed author of Safer returns with a mesmerizing story of tragedy, revenge, and redemption.
Five years ago, successful architect Wade Benson killed a young woman when he fell asleep at the wheel. His punishment: two days in jail for every year of his probation. But for one friend of the victim’s family—an ex-marine named Darryl Potter—this punishment isn’t enough. Potter sets out to even the score by kidnapping Benson’s twenty-year-old daughter. It’s a bad, bad plan, and only Mike Barlowe, Potter’s former combat buddy, knows how to stop it. With a beautiful news reporter, the cops, and a bounty hunter on Potter’s tail, Barlowe races to head off his troubled friend before innocent people get hurt. The hunters and the hunted plunge north into Minnesota’s Lake Country, each with their own ambitions and demons, each headed for a violent collision—and for one horrifying moment of life or death.
“As long as there are writers like Sean Doolittle out there, American crime fiction has got a sterling future ahead of it.”—Dennis Lehane
“With Lake Country, Sean Doolittle has out- Fargo ed Fargo . Already a master of Midwestern noir, he takes a huge, novelistic leap with his newest work, a complex, quirky, and tremendously satisfying story of revenge and redemption. If you haven’t yet read a Doolittle novel, you’ve missed the cutting edge of crime fiction today. Trust me, this guy is the future.”—William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of Northwest Angle
Five years ago, successful architect Wade Benson killed a young woman when he fell asleep at the wheel. His punishment: two days in jail for every year of his probation. But for one friend of the victim’s family—an ex-marine named Darryl Potter—this punishment isn’t enough. Potter sets out to even the score by kidnapping Benson’s twenty-year-old daughter. It’s a bad, bad plan, and only Mike Barlowe, Potter’s former combat buddy, knows how to stop it. With a beautiful news reporter, the cops, and a bounty hunter on Potter’s tail, Barlowe races to head off his troubled friend before innocent people get hurt. The hunters and the hunted plunge north into Minnesota’s Lake Country, each with their own ambitions and demons, each headed for a violent collision—and for one horrifying moment of life or death.
“As long as there are writers like Sean Doolittle out there, American crime fiction has got a sterling future ahead of it.”—Dennis Lehane
“With Lake Country, Sean Doolittle has out- Fargo ed Fargo . Already a master of Midwestern noir, he takes a huge, novelistic leap with his newest work, a complex, quirky, and tremendously satisfying story of revenge and redemption. If you haven’t yet read a Doolittle novel, you’ve missed the cutting edge of crime fiction today. Trust me, this guy is the future.”—William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of Northwest Angle
322 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 19, 2012
Combat veterans Mike Barlowe and Darryl Potter are living from day-to-day in northern Minnesota and no doubt spending too much time in the Elbow Room, their favorite bar. Then one night a news story appears on the Elbow Room's antique television set about an architect who feel asleep at the wheel five years earlier and killed a girl named Becky Morse. The guilty driver was convicted and sentenced to probation, with the requirement that he must serve two days in jail for every year of his probation.
Mike and Darryl have a personal connection to the case and Darryl believes that the architect has gotten off much too lightly. Without telling Mike, Darryl decides to even the scales of justice a bit. When it appears that Darryl has done something enormously stupid--or maybe two things, Mike could wash his hands of the whole business. But he owes Darryl his life and so sets off into the woods to try to save his friend from himself.
Mike heads out into the Lake Country, followed by a couple of teams of television reporters and two seriously dangerous goons who also have it in for Darryl. Once the race is on, all hell is bound to break loose.
This is a well-written book, and once the chase is on, it's hard to put it down. One might argue that Doolittle does a better job in this book creating interesting villains than he does sympathetic protagonists, but that's a relatively small complaint.
Mike and Darryl have a personal connection to the case and Darryl believes that the architect has gotten off much too lightly. Without telling Mike, Darryl decides to even the scales of justice a bit. When it appears that Darryl has done something enormously stupid--or maybe two things, Mike could wash his hands of the whole business. But he owes Darryl his life and so sets off into the woods to try to save his friend from himself.
Mike heads out into the Lake Country, followed by a couple of teams of television reporters and two seriously dangerous goons who also have it in for Darryl. Once the race is on, all hell is bound to break loose.
This is a well-written book, and once the chase is on, it's hard to put it down. One might argue that Doolittle does a better job in this book creating interesting villains than he does sympathetic protagonists, but that's a relatively small complaint.
August 2, 2012
“As long as there are writers like Sean Doolittle out there, American crime fiction has got a sterling future ahead of it.” —Dennis Lehane
“With Lake Country, Sean Doolittle has out-Fargoed Fargo. Already a master of Midwestern noir, he takes a huge, novelistic leap with his newest work, a complex, quirky, and tremendously satisfying story of revenge and redemption. If you haven’t yet read a Doolittle novel, you’ve missed the cutting edge of crime fiction today. Trust me, this guy is the future.” —William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of Northwest Angle
Wade Benson has to his name a crime that many feel has been overlooked and has not been dealt with enough punishment. He knows too well though every time he looks into his daughters face that the face of a dead girl will haunt him. Courts gave him five years probation period. Once a year, on the anniversary of the dead girl, he will spend 48 hours incarcerated. Something happens close to home on his admission to jail. The whole situation gets a bit of a mess not professionally organized and planned. A reward is put forward and the plot thickens as a motley crew of men enter the scene on pursuit for some hefty cash. It all pans out and proves to be a session of thrilling fast paced reading. There are two characters who are worth making note of they are Barlow and Potter two ex-marine corp buddies who served together in Iraq. They have the good fortune of being back in the USA alive from being in the worst danger zones. The don’t at present have the good fortune of a great job or pockets filled with cash. Will they be the hunted or the hunters?
This story is packed into a neatly sized thriller that demands to be read in one sitting.
Review also @ http://more2read.com/review/lake-country-by-sean-doolittle/
“With Lake Country, Sean Doolittle has out-Fargoed Fargo. Already a master of Midwestern noir, he takes a huge, novelistic leap with his newest work, a complex, quirky, and tremendously satisfying story of revenge and redemption. If you haven’t yet read a Doolittle novel, you’ve missed the cutting edge of crime fiction today. Trust me, this guy is the future.” —William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of Northwest Angle
Wade Benson has to his name a crime that many feel has been overlooked and has not been dealt with enough punishment. He knows too well though every time he looks into his daughters face that the face of a dead girl will haunt him. Courts gave him five years probation period. Once a year, on the anniversary of the dead girl, he will spend 48 hours incarcerated. Something happens close to home on his admission to jail. The whole situation gets a bit of a mess not professionally organized and planned. A reward is put forward and the plot thickens as a motley crew of men enter the scene on pursuit for some hefty cash. It all pans out and proves to be a session of thrilling fast paced reading. There are two characters who are worth making note of they are Barlow and Potter two ex-marine corp buddies who served together in Iraq. They have the good fortune of being back in the USA alive from being in the worst danger zones. The don’t at present have the good fortune of a great job or pockets filled with cash. Will they be the hunted or the hunters?
This story is packed into a neatly sized thriller that demands to be read in one sitting.
Review also @ http://more2read.com/review/lake-country-by-sean-doolittle/
August 8, 2012
I know better. But I believed an author recommendation of LAKE COUNTRY by Sean Doolittle. That’s because the author I believed is Dennis Lehane, an excellent author, one of my favorites, and a master thriller writer, which is what LAKE COUNTRY is supposed to be. But I know because I’ve seen and been told by the writers themselves that good writers often recommend books not on the basis of the books but on the basis of either their friendship with or empathy for the authors of those books. Lehane and other writers who are guilty of this do their readers a disservice, and that’s not good business.
Obviously, I did not enjoy LAKE COUNTRY. I thought it was a thriller. And it could have been. But it takes 150 pages to get to anything thrilling. First are introductions to the characters and the beginnings of their stories. There’s a TV news woman who keeps coming in handy to the police and gets herself involved in the investigation. There’s a guy trying to bully his way into the action. There’s the beautiful college girl who is kidnapped by a guy who is mad at the girl’s father; the kidnapper was a Marine and in Iraq with a guy whose sister was accidentally killed by the girl’s father. (HUH?) And we have our good guy Mike, a friend of the kidnapper, who tries to make things right.
When the book finally gets to thrills, it’s only thrilling off and on; other chapters containing boring stories are stuck in here and there.
The end felt like “the end”; it leaves lots of questions and is as if the book is missing a final chapter.
I won this book through the librarything.com Early Reviewers program.
Obviously, I did not enjoy LAKE COUNTRY. I thought it was a thriller. And it could have been. But it takes 150 pages to get to anything thrilling. First are introductions to the characters and the beginnings of their stories. There’s a TV news woman who keeps coming in handy to the police and gets herself involved in the investigation. There’s a guy trying to bully his way into the action. There’s the beautiful college girl who is kidnapped by a guy who is mad at the girl’s father; the kidnapper was a Marine and in Iraq with a guy whose sister was accidentally killed by the girl’s father. (HUH?) And we have our good guy Mike, a friend of the kidnapper, who tries to make things right.
When the book finally gets to thrills, it’s only thrilling off and on; other chapters containing boring stories are stuck in here and there.
The end felt like “the end”; it leaves lots of questions and is as if the book is missing a final chapter.
I won this book through the librarything.com Early Reviewers program.
March 2, 2015
This was a Pick It For Me for March. I did have it on my TBR list and the reviews were really good. That being said, I was not all that enthralled by this book.
There really wasn't much of a mystery and honestly, I didn't like any of the characters ... other than the Uncle. I found him amusing if nothing else. I felt sorry for the vets and what they must have been going through with injuries and PTSD, but I didn't particularly like them.
Basically what I got was a girl was kidnapped because her father fell asleep at the wheel and he crashed into another car where another girl was killed. The victim's brother died overseas while he was in service. The father was sentenced to 2 days a year in jail for a total of 5 years. A friend of the deceased brother's decided that this father needed to know what it felt like to lose his own daughter and kidnaps his daughter.
After that, it just became mishmash to me. I admit I skipped over some parts because it was a jumble of bodies and was nearing boredom.
Not my cup of tea.
There really wasn't much of a mystery and honestly, I didn't like any of the characters ... other than the Uncle. I found him amusing if nothing else. I felt sorry for the vets and what they must have been going through with injuries and PTSD, but I didn't particularly like them.
Basically what I got was a girl was kidnapped because her father fell asleep at the wheel and he crashed into another car where another girl was killed. The victim's brother died overseas while he was in service. The father was sentenced to 2 days a year in jail for a total of 5 years. A friend of the deceased brother's decided that this father needed to know what it felt like to lose his own daughter and kidnaps his daughter.
After that, it just became mishmash to me. I admit I skipped over some parts because it was a jumble of bodies and was nearing boredom.
Not my cup of tea.
October 23, 2012
Novel received courtesy of Goodreads.com giveaway
Sean Doolittle's new novel "Lake Country" was a great read. The premise of the novel was something new and that's an accomplishment! The story begins as a man heads to jail as he does every year on the anniversary of the death of the young woman he killed when he fell asleep at the wheel. The main character doesn't believe that this punishment is enough. Darryl and Mike are veterans with some deep mental and physical wounds. The reporter tasked with covering the entrance of the jail also becomes a part of the story rather than just reporting the story. "Lake Country" brings all of these people and more together to tell a unique story that readers will enjoy.
Sean Doolittle's new novel "Lake Country" was a great read. The premise of the novel was something new and that's an accomplishment! The story begins as a man heads to jail as he does every year on the anniversary of the death of the young woman he killed when he fell asleep at the wheel. The main character doesn't believe that this punishment is enough. Darryl and Mike are veterans with some deep mental and physical wounds. The reporter tasked with covering the entrance of the jail also becomes a part of the story rather than just reporting the story. "Lake Country" brings all of these people and more together to tell a unique story that readers will enjoy.
August 25, 2012
Hard to write a better review than this blurb! “With Lake Country, Sean Doolittle has out-Fargoed Fargo. Already a master of Midwestern noir, he takes a huge, novelistic leap with his newest work, a complex, quirky, and tremendously satisfying story of revenge and redemption. If you haven’t yet read a Doolittle novel, you’ve missed the cutting edge of crime fiction today. Trust me, this guy is the future.”—William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author of Northwest Angle
July 28, 2012
Wow, what a read. You become a part of this well written, true to life story. I'm so very glad I won this outstanding, suspenseful crime novel through Goodreads, first-reads and look forward to reading other books by this author. **Highly Recommend**
October 6, 2015
Great read. Doolittle gets better with every book. Clear consice writing that moves incredibly fast once you get through the first act.
November 19, 2016
I don't usually read thrillers. The focus on action often means that characterization is short-changed, with cartoon-depth villains and women who exist only for the hero's enjoyment. That is changing. In his last adventure, not only does Jack Reacher not sleep with his much younger female partner, but he also indicates interest in a woman his own age, wishing that he had time to get to know her in between fight scenes. But the patterns and expectations remain.
Luckily, there are exceptions and the best of those exceptions is Sean Doolittle. He writes well, but most importantly the characters in his books feel like real people. Sure, Lake Country follows the pattern of a guy rescuing a woman in peril, but he's tweaked the expected into something both surprising and a lot of fun to read. The woman in peril is a lot more capable than anyone expected. There are two bad guys, neither of whom are stock villains, although one comes close, Doolittle provides just that little insight into his motivations to make him human. And as for heroes, there are two. A female television news reporter who is both a little burned out and a veteran of the war in Iraq, with a rebuilt knee who is unemployed and spending a lot of time in the local bar. Doolittle doesn't short-change readers on the action. There's plenty of that. But the action makes sense, the hero is not indestructible. His plans don't always work and when they do the consequences aren't what he anticipated. The pretty face reporting at the scene is able to notice things the cops don't and she's worried about what being that person who is first to arrive at the homes of victims means about her own morality.
Lake Country, like the other books by Sean Doolittle that I've read, is intelligent and entertaining. I'm looking forward to reading more by him. Still not a fan of the genre, however.
Luckily, there are exceptions and the best of those exceptions is Sean Doolittle. He writes well, but most importantly the characters in his books feel like real people. Sure, Lake Country follows the pattern of a guy rescuing a woman in peril, but he's tweaked the expected into something both surprising and a lot of fun to read. The woman in peril is a lot more capable than anyone expected. There are two bad guys, neither of whom are stock villains, although one comes close, Doolittle provides just that little insight into his motivations to make him human. And as for heroes, there are two. A female television news reporter who is both a little burned out and a veteran of the war in Iraq, with a rebuilt knee who is unemployed and spending a lot of time in the local bar. Doolittle doesn't short-change readers on the action. There's plenty of that. But the action makes sense, the hero is not indestructible. His plans don't always work and when they do the consequences aren't what he anticipated. The pretty face reporting at the scene is able to notice things the cops don't and she's worried about what being that person who is first to arrive at the homes of victims means about her own morality.
Lake Country, like the other books by Sean Doolittle that I've read, is intelligent and entertaining. I'm looking forward to reading more by him. Still not a fan of the genre, however.
December 18, 2023
Normally, I wouldn't have just sought out this type of 'thriller' type of novel on my own. There are tons of writers and novels that fall into this category and several well know New York times best selling authors that dominate the category. But...I am from Nebraska...I work in Nebraska...my boss knows I read a lot and mentioned he graduated with a published author from his small town Nebraska High School. So naturally out of home state loyalty I had to sample some of his work.
Now, I have read several types of thrillers in this type genre, many by well known NYT authors. Most of the time it's kind of a pallet cleanser to get me out of the grind of 600-900 page fantasy novels for a bit, but I do enjoy them. Blake Crouch, James Patterson, Lee Child, Dennis Lehane, Connely, many others. I would put this book right up there with many of them. Sometimes I feel like the bigger names kind of phone it in sometimes so they can be hit and miss. (I think a lot of that is due to pressure from their publishers to churn out a certain volume of books per year)
I only have this book to go by from Sean Doolittle (so far), but I think I would willingly throw another couple books from him into my reading rotation.
I found this book to be a fast paced page turner with several interesting characters and well researched on top of that. A couple of war veterans get themselves in quite a bind. One lets PTSD kind of get the better of him and makes a bad decision and his war buddy must decide how loyal he can be to his friend without getting into to much legal trouble himself. The bind they find themselves in keeps you guessing how they might get out of it (or if they deserve to) for most of the book.
I found this to be a very interesting and fast paced book and will have some books by this author on my TBR list soon.
Now, I have read several types of thrillers in this type genre, many by well known NYT authors. Most of the time it's kind of a pallet cleanser to get me out of the grind of 600-900 page fantasy novels for a bit, but I do enjoy them. Blake Crouch, James Patterson, Lee Child, Dennis Lehane, Connely, many others. I would put this book right up there with many of them. Sometimes I feel like the bigger names kind of phone it in sometimes so they can be hit and miss. (I think a lot of that is due to pressure from their publishers to churn out a certain volume of books per year)
I only have this book to go by from Sean Doolittle (so far), but I think I would willingly throw another couple books from him into my reading rotation.
I found this book to be a fast paced page turner with several interesting characters and well researched on top of that. A couple of war veterans get themselves in quite a bind. One lets PTSD kind of get the better of him and makes a bad decision and his war buddy must decide how loyal he can be to his friend without getting into to much legal trouble himself. The bind they find themselves in keeps you guessing how they might get out of it (or if they deserve to) for most of the book.
I found this to be a very interesting and fast paced book and will have some books by this author on my TBR list soon.
July 23, 2024
Darryl Potter is a dishonorably discharged vet, He's good at soldiering, but not so good with authority. Mike Barlowe served with Potter in Afghanistan, Potter saved his life. They are now roommates in Minneapolis. Potter has a dark past, and not particularly sunny present, and nowhere else to go. Barlowe figures he owes Potter. They are barely employed, neuro diverse, drink more than they need to, and each other's only friends. They both knew the soldier who's sister was killed in a car accident by a drowsy driver. When the fifth anniversary of the sister's death rolls around, Potter becomes even more unhinged than usuyal, as Kurt used to say, "The excrement hit the air conditioning."
This is a thrilling story, with larger than life characters, a lot of humanity, and a dash of hope.
This is a thrilling story, with larger than life characters, a lot of humanity, and a dash of hope.
January 2, 2019
Another crisp and well-paced thriller from Sean Doolittle, featuring a "bad guy" who breaks the mold, a really lethal and scary bad guy, a good guy with a different dimension whose loyalty lands him in hot water, a plucky and tough young woman, and a host of other good characters against a Minnesota backdrop. I'll be looking at more of Doolittle's work in time.
November 27, 2020
Crime-thriller is not often my first choice, but this story set in The Webber-Camden area of Minneapolis caught my attention because it’s my old neighborhood. Just enough local references to make it interesting without becoming too much. I was swept up in this fast paced, complicated, but easy to follow story that ended in the Brainerd Lakes area. A satisfying read.
June 10, 2023
This was a good solid suspense read with a lot of atmosphere and a good ensemble cast. It doesn't crest the 4-star level for me though. I liked the veterans but the girl seemed a little over the top (just what kind of things do they teach at her summer camp?).
However, I did like the narrative style and would definitely read this author again.
However, I did like the narrative style and would definitely read this author again.
July 19, 2020
Great characters
I live in Minnesota so the locations had special meaning to me. The characters are extremely flawed and therefore more like real life. I would enjoy meeting them again in a sequel.
I live in Minnesota so the locations had special meaning to me. The characters are extremely flawed and therefore more like real life. I would enjoy meeting them again in a sequel.
January 4, 2018
Might be a great read but the language turner me off so I quit.
Want to read
December 3, 2019Synopsis: Wade Benson killed a woman when he fell asleep at the wheel. Now a friend of the victim's family think his punishment isn’t enough.
April 23, 2022
Most definitely a page turner!
July 29, 2013
Lake Country by Sean Doolittle is not a police procedural and it’s not really a thriller. It’s a story about some people and their haunted past, about the ghosts that no matter how hard they try, they cannot escape.
What I mostly liked about this book I must admit is its size. What do I mean by that? I mean that the author did a great job working on the economy of the novel. There’s not a single word out of place here, there are not too many subplots to make it a doorstopper, and thus less enjoyable, and there are no wild stretches of the imagination in order to surprise the reader. All Doolittle seems to want to do is tell a story, and that he does well.
Two of the main characters in this novel are ex-soldiers, survivors of the war in Iraq, and each one of them carries their own psychological baggage.
Darryl Potter is a troubled young man who’s seen his fair share of war and bloodshed and who always manages, in one way or another, to get into trouble. He hates the way his life turned out, he hates that the justice system doesn’t really care about imposing the law when it comes to the rich and powerful and he hates the fact that he wasn’t able to save the life of one of his army comrades, and feels guilty about what happened afterwards to that man’s family. He almost hates everything and everyone. His day to day life bathes in misery and now, more than ever, he’s determined to do something to change it, even if that means taking the law into his own hands.
Mike Barlowe though, his brother in arms, doesn’t seem to hate anyone. He just feels kind of sad about his life and he tries to relieve his psychological, but also bodily pain, since he carries a serious wound on the knee, by drinking alcohol and taking scores of pain killers. What a life, one would say. What a life!
We meet a lot of human wrecks in this story; people who have lost everything in an accident, or during the war, or at a moment of pure madness. Even though some of the protagonists seem to lead quiet and peaceful lives that is not really the case. They also have harmed people and have been harmed by others. They’ve also suffered, or still suffer loss, sadness, loneliness. Actually when it comes to it I would say that none of these people seems to belong to this world anymore. They can only be grateful for what they have and that’s what keeps them going: a job, a family, a very good friend who’ll stand by their side no matter what, a purpose that could prove misguided, but which at the same time will give them the opportunity to face their inner demons.
The author is not very kind with his heroes. They are all full of faults, full of out-of-control passions, even full of themselves. But maybe that’s exactly what makes this book so special. It talks about people who could be living right next door to us, or maybe down the street; people who meet once a year to celebrate a life and mourn for a death; people who sit at a dark corner of a bar where they desperately try to hide their fears away.
If you like adventures you’ll get some here; if you like mysteries, not so much; if you love police procedurals, well, this could work for you; but it would be better if while reading it you just let yourself go, and enjoy the ride. It may be a bleak ride in a way, but it’s a great one nevertheless.
What I mostly liked about this book I must admit is its size. What do I mean by that? I mean that the author did a great job working on the economy of the novel. There’s not a single word out of place here, there are not too many subplots to make it a doorstopper, and thus less enjoyable, and there are no wild stretches of the imagination in order to surprise the reader. All Doolittle seems to want to do is tell a story, and that he does well.
Two of the main characters in this novel are ex-soldiers, survivors of the war in Iraq, and each one of them carries their own psychological baggage.
Darryl Potter is a troubled young man who’s seen his fair share of war and bloodshed and who always manages, in one way or another, to get into trouble. He hates the way his life turned out, he hates that the justice system doesn’t really care about imposing the law when it comes to the rich and powerful and he hates the fact that he wasn’t able to save the life of one of his army comrades, and feels guilty about what happened afterwards to that man’s family. He almost hates everything and everyone. His day to day life bathes in misery and now, more than ever, he’s determined to do something to change it, even if that means taking the law into his own hands.
Mike Barlowe though, his brother in arms, doesn’t seem to hate anyone. He just feels kind of sad about his life and he tries to relieve his psychological, but also bodily pain, since he carries a serious wound on the knee, by drinking alcohol and taking scores of pain killers. What a life, one would say. What a life!
We meet a lot of human wrecks in this story; people who have lost everything in an accident, or during the war, or at a moment of pure madness. Even though some of the protagonists seem to lead quiet and peaceful lives that is not really the case. They also have harmed people and have been harmed by others. They’ve also suffered, or still suffer loss, sadness, loneliness. Actually when it comes to it I would say that none of these people seems to belong to this world anymore. They can only be grateful for what they have and that’s what keeps them going: a job, a family, a very good friend who’ll stand by their side no matter what, a purpose that could prove misguided, but which at the same time will give them the opportunity to face their inner demons.
The author is not very kind with his heroes. They are all full of faults, full of out-of-control passions, even full of themselves. But maybe that’s exactly what makes this book so special. It talks about people who could be living right next door to us, or maybe down the street; people who meet once a year to celebrate a life and mourn for a death; people who sit at a dark corner of a bar where they desperately try to hide their fears away.
If you like adventures you’ll get some here; if you like mysteries, not so much; if you love police procedurals, well, this could work for you; but it would be better if while reading it you just let yourself go, and enjoy the ride. It may be a bleak ride in a way, but it’s a great one nevertheless.
August 7, 2012
I won this book through the wonderful first-reads program.
When I first began reading this book, it was with a great mixture of emotions. I typically don't read crime thrillers, but here was Dennis Lehane praising Sean Doolittle on the cover. Dennis Lehane of Shutter Island fame, and well known for just about everything else he'd ever written. Fears of reading outside my general genre somewhat abated, I opened it up.
It took me a while to get used to the writing.
The general premise of the book is a fascinating one. Years earlier, a young girl was killed by a well known architect - not in a drunk driving accident, but rather in a tired driving accident. The architect, terribly wealthy, got off fairly easy and without great injury. The girl was in a coma for forty eight hours before passing away. The girl's brother was killed in combat, the girl's father committed suicide. The girls mother certainly wasn't getting it easy.
To make matters worse, the fellow behind the wheel of the car who killed her - he got off easy with a fine and the added punishment of spending forty eight hours in prison on the anniversary of her death for five years. That's it. This is justice? The whole novel hinges upon that question.
On the fifth anniversary of this, it looks like someone had finally had enough of this and taken matters into his own hands. The architect's daughter is kidnapped, and all signs are pointing towards the kidnapper being a relatively unhinged ex-vet who was friends with the murdered girl's brother. Our protagonist, who also knew the murdered girl's brother, is trying to figure out just what's going on.
The novel switches between the reporter covering the story, a bookie trying to collect from the kidnapper, and the friend of the kidnapper's point of view making for the case being watched from all eyes. The writing is crisp, quickly moving, and easy to read. I can't say I had any complaints stylistically, or plot-wise with the piece. It made for fast reading, and while I would refer to it as 'genre fiction' is there really anything wrong with that?
All in all, this is a good book to read during the summer, and one that I would pass on to friends who I know love the thriller genre. Sean Doolittle does have great writing chops, and I'll be keeping my eyes open for more of his books. Heck, I'd be surprised if some of his books didn't get tapped for movie adaptations in the near future. This is writer with a bright, bright future.
When I first began reading this book, it was with a great mixture of emotions. I typically don't read crime thrillers, but here was Dennis Lehane praising Sean Doolittle on the cover. Dennis Lehane of Shutter Island fame, and well known for just about everything else he'd ever written. Fears of reading outside my general genre somewhat abated, I opened it up.
It took me a while to get used to the writing.
The general premise of the book is a fascinating one. Years earlier, a young girl was killed by a well known architect - not in a drunk driving accident, but rather in a tired driving accident. The architect, terribly wealthy, got off fairly easy and without great injury. The girl was in a coma for forty eight hours before passing away. The girl's brother was killed in combat, the girl's father committed suicide. The girls mother certainly wasn't getting it easy.
To make matters worse, the fellow behind the wheel of the car who killed her - he got off easy with a fine and the added punishment of spending forty eight hours in prison on the anniversary of her death for five years. That's it. This is justice? The whole novel hinges upon that question.
On the fifth anniversary of this, it looks like someone had finally had enough of this and taken matters into his own hands. The architect's daughter is kidnapped, and all signs are pointing towards the kidnapper being a relatively unhinged ex-vet who was friends with the murdered girl's brother. Our protagonist, who also knew the murdered girl's brother, is trying to figure out just what's going on.
The novel switches between the reporter covering the story, a bookie trying to collect from the kidnapper, and the friend of the kidnapper's point of view making for the case being watched from all eyes. The writing is crisp, quickly moving, and easy to read. I can't say I had any complaints stylistically, or plot-wise with the piece. It made for fast reading, and while I would refer to it as 'genre fiction' is there really anything wrong with that?
All in all, this is a good book to read during the summer, and one that I would pass on to friends who I know love the thriller genre. Sean Doolittle does have great writing chops, and I'll be keeping my eyes open for more of his books. Heck, I'd be surprised if some of his books didn't get tapped for movie adaptations in the near future. This is writer with a bright, bright future.
January 28, 2013
In this, his sixth novel, the author takes the reader to the Twin Cities area of the US, and focuses attention in particular, for crucial parts of the tale, on the eponymous region known for its excellent fishing. As one character, who owns a cabin there, puts it, “no matter how tired he is, no matter how low he goes, no matter how shitty or screwed up life ever seems to get, for him it’s nothing a couple weeks in the lake country can’t fix.” But nothing as innocuous as that in this telling.
The pivotal event from which everything else stems is the death of Becky Morse, a college sophomore, killed one rainy night when a car crashed head-on into hers, the other driver having fallen asleep at the wheel. Ultimately, Wade Benson, a successful, hard-working architect in his 40’s with a wife and young daughter of his own, avoided criminal charges and was convicted of misdemeanor reckless driving, given five years probation, with the added provision that he spend two days in jail for each of those five years, to be served on the anniversary of the girl’s death.
Needless to say, Becky’s death, and the outcome of the trial, sparked quite a lot of outrage through the area, the local as well as national media dutifully covering the man’s time in prison each year. As the book opens, the fifth anniversary of the accident is approaching. Maya Lamb, 26-year-old reporter for one of the local tv stations, is among those covering the event. That morning, Benson’s daughter, now almost exactly the same age Becky Morse had been when she died, disappears.
The plot revolves around the ensuing investigation, which grows more intense as the hours go by, with no clues as to who is responsible or why. Two local men, buddies for years since they served in the Marines together in the Iraqi desert, returning much the worse for wear, appear to be involved. The tension and the suspense mount as the hunt goes on for the missing girl.
This is a terrifically entertaining novel, with nail-biting, breathless stretches, and it is highly recommended.
The pivotal event from which everything else stems is the death of Becky Morse, a college sophomore, killed one rainy night when a car crashed head-on into hers, the other driver having fallen asleep at the wheel. Ultimately, Wade Benson, a successful, hard-working architect in his 40’s with a wife and young daughter of his own, avoided criminal charges and was convicted of misdemeanor reckless driving, given five years probation, with the added provision that he spend two days in jail for each of those five years, to be served on the anniversary of the girl’s death.
Needless to say, Becky’s death, and the outcome of the trial, sparked quite a lot of outrage through the area, the local as well as national media dutifully covering the man’s time in prison each year. As the book opens, the fifth anniversary of the accident is approaching. Maya Lamb, 26-year-old reporter for one of the local tv stations, is among those covering the event. That morning, Benson’s daughter, now almost exactly the same age Becky Morse had been when she died, disappears.
The plot revolves around the ensuing investigation, which grows more intense as the hours go by, with no clues as to who is responsible or why. Two local men, buddies for years since they served in the Marines together in the Iraqi desert, returning much the worse for wear, appear to be involved. The tension and the suspense mount as the hunt goes on for the missing girl.
This is a terrifically entertaining novel, with nail-biting, breathless stretches, and it is highly recommended.
August 31, 2012
This is a story for anyone who has ever railed against the sentences pronounced on people convicted of a crime. It begins as a successful architect with a lovely daughter, wife, and a beautiful home goes to prison for a weekend. He had been sentenced to two days in jail for every year of his five-year probation. This is his last weekend in jail for falling asleep at the wheel and killing a young woman driving the car he hit head on. No alcohol, no drugs, just fell asleep.
Now you can understand how many people, particularly friends of the young woman's family, would be very upset at such a light sentence. Considering the victim's older brother was killed in action in Iraq as well, it would make some people furious. How could this injustice happen to such a nice woman as their mother?
The story is set in Minnesota (and I know a blogger there who would love this) with all the beautiful lakes and the good, down-to-earth residents of that state. Two ex-Marines who knew the other brother are home and dealing unsuccessfully with PTSD and a battle against the bottle. This is a set-up for yet another tragedy.
I greatly enjoyed the characters in this book. They all seemed quite real to me, especially the ex-Marines (I know, I know. Once a Marine always a Marine) but also TV reporters, a barkeep, the family of the man who killed the girl, and the mother of the victim. As one of the Marines tries to save his friend from committing a grave injustice, many of these characters are heading to the denouement among the lakes. There's also a side story in which numbers-running loot is missing and the only character who seemed overdrawn in the meanness department is an enforcer looking to get the money back.
We know whodunit all the time, but how the situation will resolve becomes clear only as the story ends. Very clever mystery with plenty of nail-biting tension.
Source: Won from LibraryThing.
Recommended reading for mystery lovers.
Now you can understand how many people, particularly friends of the young woman's family, would be very upset at such a light sentence. Considering the victim's older brother was killed in action in Iraq as well, it would make some people furious. How could this injustice happen to such a nice woman as their mother?
The story is set in Minnesota (and I know a blogger there who would love this) with all the beautiful lakes and the good, down-to-earth residents of that state. Two ex-Marines who knew the other brother are home and dealing unsuccessfully with PTSD and a battle against the bottle. This is a set-up for yet another tragedy.
I greatly enjoyed the characters in this book. They all seemed quite real to me, especially the ex-Marines (I know, I know. Once a Marine always a Marine) but also TV reporters, a barkeep, the family of the man who killed the girl, and the mother of the victim. As one of the Marines tries to save his friend from committing a grave injustice, many of these characters are heading to the denouement among the lakes. There's also a side story in which numbers-running loot is missing and the only character who seemed overdrawn in the meanness department is an enforcer looking to get the money back.
We know whodunit all the time, but how the situation will resolve becomes clear only as the story ends. Very clever mystery with plenty of nail-biting tension.
Source: Won from LibraryThing.
Recommended reading for mystery lovers.
December 6, 2012
Author: Sean Doolittle
Published By: Batam
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4
Review:
Sean Doolittle's novel "Lake Country" was quite a thriller read that would keep you turning the pages until the end. If you are a 'Doolittle' fan you will not be disappointed with this read. This story line will present a good dose of tension and many twist and turns along the way. The setting of this story takes place in Minnesota with beautiful lakes and down to earth good people representing the state. This novel deals with characters from "ex-Marines, a TV reporter, barkeeper, the family of the man who killed the girl... to the mother of the victim." "Lake Country" begins..."as a successful architect Wade Benson...with a lovely daughter, wife, and a beautiful home goes to prison for a weekend. Why? He had been sentenced to two days in jail for every year of his five-year probation. This is his last weekend in jail for falling asleep at the wheel and killing a young woman driving the car he hit head on. No alcohol, no drugs, just fell asleep." Now, who wouldn't be upset a such a light sentence that was handed down? Would someone be over the top upset with this verdict? Now what would these ex-Marines...dealing unsuccessful with PTST and drinking problems deal with this...especially Darryl Potter? This is where I will say you must pick up "Lake Country" to see just what tragedy would come of this situation.
The author Sean Doolittle has layed it all out for the reader because you already will know from the read who had done it but still how this will end will be a story within itself presenting only a good mystery with lots of tension with its fast-paced action.
If you are looking for a good well written thriller you have come to the right place for "Lake Country" would recommend this novel as a good read.
Published By: Batam
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4
Review:
Sean Doolittle's novel "Lake Country" was quite a thriller read that would keep you turning the pages until the end. If you are a 'Doolittle' fan you will not be disappointed with this read. This story line will present a good dose of tension and many twist and turns along the way. The setting of this story takes place in Minnesota with beautiful lakes and down to earth good people representing the state. This novel deals with characters from "ex-Marines, a TV reporter, barkeeper, the family of the man who killed the girl... to the mother of the victim." "Lake Country" begins..."as a successful architect Wade Benson...with a lovely daughter, wife, and a beautiful home goes to prison for a weekend. Why? He had been sentenced to two days in jail for every year of his five-year probation. This is his last weekend in jail for falling asleep at the wheel and killing a young woman driving the car he hit head on. No alcohol, no drugs, just fell asleep." Now, who wouldn't be upset a such a light sentence that was handed down? Would someone be over the top upset with this verdict? Now what would these ex-Marines...dealing unsuccessful with PTST and drinking problems deal with this...especially Darryl Potter? This is where I will say you must pick up "Lake Country" to see just what tragedy would come of this situation.
The author Sean Doolittle has layed it all out for the reader because you already will know from the read who had done it but still how this will end will be a story within itself presenting only a good mystery with lots of tension with its fast-paced action.
If you are looking for a good well written thriller you have come to the right place for "Lake Country" would recommend this novel as a good read.
Read
February 19, 2013Lake Country
By Sean Doolittle
Minnesota, the land of a thousand lakes, is the setting for Sean Doolittle’s new crime novel “Lake Country.” Five years ago, Wade Benson made the poor choice to drive drowsy. It led to a crash that took the life of a teenaged woman, Becky Moore, after she lingered for two days. The tragedy is deepened when Becky’s brother, a Marine deployed in Iraq, is killed before he can return home on compassionate leave. The deaths are too much for their father, who commits suicide after the funerals.
Benson is sentenced to five years’ probation and ten days in jail, but the judge makes an unusual stipulation: the ten days will be served in two-day allotments on the next five anniversaries of the accident. Maya Lamb of Channel 7 has reported on the accident and its aftermath ever since it happened, and files a story as Benson prepares for his final jail stint. Two of Cpl. Moore’s platoon mates, Mike Barlowe and Darryl Potter, watch the report, which triggers a deep core of anger in Potter. The next day, Wade Benson’s college-aged daughter Juliet is kidnapped, and Barlowe realizes his friend Potter is the culprit.
Barlowe sets out to track down Potter and return Juliet safely home, but his quest is complicated by the intense police focus on the crime as well as the media attention, led by Lamb’s reporting. Also in the hunt is Potter’s employer, a bookmaker that Potter ripped off to finance his caper, who is being helped by a psychotic bounty hunter. Can Barlowe save Juliet, Potter, and even himself from the consequences of Potter’s actions?
Sean Doolittle has crafted a sterling character study that’s a modern take on the classic Noir stories of the 1940s and 1950s, of decent people in bad circumstances making choices that take them over the line to crime. Sharply focused within twenty-four hours, the story flows like a North Country river through rapids and sweeps the reader along to the climax.
By Sean Doolittle
Minnesota, the land of a thousand lakes, is the setting for Sean Doolittle’s new crime novel “Lake Country.” Five years ago, Wade Benson made the poor choice to drive drowsy. It led to a crash that took the life of a teenaged woman, Becky Moore, after she lingered for two days. The tragedy is deepened when Becky’s brother, a Marine deployed in Iraq, is killed before he can return home on compassionate leave. The deaths are too much for their father, who commits suicide after the funerals.
Benson is sentenced to five years’ probation and ten days in jail, but the judge makes an unusual stipulation: the ten days will be served in two-day allotments on the next five anniversaries of the accident. Maya Lamb of Channel 7 has reported on the accident and its aftermath ever since it happened, and files a story as Benson prepares for his final jail stint. Two of Cpl. Moore’s platoon mates, Mike Barlowe and Darryl Potter, watch the report, which triggers a deep core of anger in Potter. The next day, Wade Benson’s college-aged daughter Juliet is kidnapped, and Barlowe realizes his friend Potter is the culprit.
Barlowe sets out to track down Potter and return Juliet safely home, but his quest is complicated by the intense police focus on the crime as well as the media attention, led by Lamb’s reporting. Also in the hunt is Potter’s employer, a bookmaker that Potter ripped off to finance his caper, who is being helped by a psychotic bounty hunter. Can Barlowe save Juliet, Potter, and even himself from the consequences of Potter’s actions?
Sean Doolittle has crafted a sterling character study that’s a modern take on the classic Noir stories of the 1940s and 1950s, of decent people in bad circumstances making choices that take them over the line to crime. Sharply focused within twenty-four hours, the story flows like a North Country river through rapids and sweeps the reader along to the climax.
August 6, 2012
Mike Barlowe and Darryl Potter are ex-Marines trying to survive after the military. Darryl had saved Mike’s life in combat and now Mike feels he owes him. But Darryl tends to take advantage of Mike, showing up on his doorstep for a place to stay, drinking too much, and getting in deep with the wrong people. Mike and Darryl knew a young man in combat whose sister was killed five years prior by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel. Wade Benson has it pretty good, a well-paying job, beautiful wife and daughter. When Darryl ties one on, he starts to believe that Benson hasn’t paid enough for killing his friend’s sister. Benson spends a night in jail every year on the anniversary of the accident. Darryl comes up with a plan to kidnap Benson’s daughter, Juliet, and let Benson know what it feels like to possibly lose someone. But things go wrong when two men are looking for Darryl and their money but also the Benson’s daughter so they can collect the reward money. Add in a reporter, a bounty hunter, a search team, and the police and there are far too many characters to keep track of. Mike had more than one chance to ask for help. His failure to do so left another friend in danger. Darryl’s knack for making his own trouble reaps little sympathy from this reader. It was hard to find one character interesting enough to care whether he met with ill fate. Mike did have one redeeming quality when he attempts to rescue Juliet who had escaped and is injured. However, Juliet spends less time on the page than the bounty hunter when it is her kidnapping that is the focal point of this slow-moving plot. This is a different type of book from this author. His mysteries, like Dirt, are more tightly written and told with entertaining wit.
August 13, 2012
The waitress at the restaurant where I had my dinner wanted to know what I was reading. She said that she could tell I was enjoying it by the fact that my eyes never left the book the entire time I ate. I love when I find a story that grabs my attention and does not let go. Lake Country is one of those stories.
Plot in a nutshell: a damaged ex-Marine decides that the sentence of the man responsible for the death of the sister of a lance corporal in his battalion is too lenient. The girl is dead and the guy who fell asleep at the wheel and plowed head-on into her car spends two nights a year in jail for the duration of his probation. As the years wind down and the final stint in jail approaches, the ex-Marine kidnaps the guy's daughter to even the score, so he will know what it is like to lose someone. His roommate, also ex-Marine, realizes what his buddy has done and follows to try and stop him before he hurts, or worse, kills the girl.
This is a quick read, but very very satisfying. It's darkness and tension interwoven with wonderful comic relief. A little twist at the very end made me laugh out loud. This is crime fiction of the highest caliber. Recommended reading.
Plot in a nutshell: a damaged ex-Marine decides that the sentence of the man responsible for the death of the sister of a lance corporal in his battalion is too lenient. The girl is dead and the guy who fell asleep at the wheel and plowed head-on into her car spends two nights a year in jail for the duration of his probation. As the years wind down and the final stint in jail approaches, the ex-Marine kidnaps the guy's daughter to even the score, so he will know what it is like to lose someone. His roommate, also ex-Marine, realizes what his buddy has done and follows to try and stop him before he hurts, or worse, kills the girl.
This is a quick read, but very very satisfying. It's darkness and tension interwoven with wonderful comic relief. A little twist at the very end made me laugh out loud. This is crime fiction of the highest caliber. Recommended reading.
October 27, 2014
I've read a few of Doolittle's books and they're all gritty crime novels - novels about bums, rather than super agents - which I dig. Also, he's got a real Elmore Leonard style: snappy, witty and believable but askew, great dialog and perfect comedic (and violent) timing; plus, he's restrained in the telling of his stories, but also in exploring his characters and their interiority, that is, they resist too much self-reflection and the authorial voice resists it just a little bit more, so they're development is always a little ahead of the narrative.
This one's not my favorite (Rain Dogs is), but the two ex-marine dopes at the center of the drama are marvelous and there's some cool stuff about a local reporter and the goings-ons of a local news station, which does that thing a crime novel worth its salt ought to do - it teaches you about some overlooked or hidden corner of the world, not quite privileged knowledge, but specialized.
Anyhoo, Sean Doolittle's up there with the rest of the young turks of crime fiction. I hope doesn't fall into a script-writing black hole and keeps cranking them out.
This one's not my favorite (Rain Dogs is), but the two ex-marine dopes at the center of the drama are marvelous and there's some cool stuff about a local reporter and the goings-ons of a local news station, which does that thing a crime novel worth its salt ought to do - it teaches you about some overlooked or hidden corner of the world, not quite privileged knowledge, but specialized.
Anyhoo, Sean Doolittle's up there with the rest of the young turks of crime fiction. I hope doesn't fall into a script-writing black hole and keeps cranking them out.
January 28, 2016
PTSD - impact on day-to-day life well described within a mystery. Doolittle has been compared to Elmore Leonard. Chap 11 - He was miles from anything, and everything was quiet. No bugs, no night birds, not even the whisper of a breeze in the trees.
Chap 20 - Post-traumatic stress disorder. If that's what they called insomnia, night terrors, mood swings, depression, and the inability to tolerate other human beings, then Mike guessed it was what he had. They ad programs through the VA Center and for a while he tried going in, but it all seemed like a bunch of bullshit, so he stopped. Whiskey worked better than the pills they gave anyway, and after a couple of years the nightmares tapered off on their own. Life went on.
Chap 24 - Maya watched they young producer stumble along with his clipboard through the underbrush and wondered where he saw himself 5 years from now. (A question she had been asked/asking herself). She wondered where he'd seen himself this morning.
Chap 26 - Pressed his clammy forehead against Mike's own. He smelled like he'd been buried and dug up again.
Chap 20 - Post-traumatic stress disorder. If that's what they called insomnia, night terrors, mood swings, depression, and the inability to tolerate other human beings, then Mike guessed it was what he had. They ad programs through the VA Center and for a while he tried going in, but it all seemed like a bunch of bullshit, so he stopped. Whiskey worked better than the pills they gave anyway, and after a couple of years the nightmares tapered off on their own. Life went on.
Chap 24 - Maya watched they young producer stumble along with his clipboard through the underbrush and wondered where he saw himself 5 years from now. (A question she had been asked/asking herself). She wondered where he'd seen himself this morning.
Chap 26 - Pressed his clammy forehead against Mike's own. He smelled like he'd been buried and dug up again.
August 12, 2012
http://charlotteswebofbooks.blogspot....
Just look at the cover of Lake Country - that cover had me hooked from the very beginning. It just looks spooky. Like you should look over your shoulder this very moment. The story is very fast paced and Mike Barlowe is a very likable character. I really enjoyed watching his interactions with Juliet. He showed a tenderness and kindness that almost surprised me, given what I knew about him up to that point. The story is very fast paced, and when everybody is heading to the Lake Country, it was almost comical. It was something that I could see easily translate to the big screen.
Bottom line -- Lake Country by Sean Doolittle is a wonderful crime novel that could easily hold it's own with books by big name authors like Dennis Lehane or Craig Johnson. The characters are realistic and the story is engaging.
Just look at the cover of Lake Country - that cover had me hooked from the very beginning. It just looks spooky. Like you should look over your shoulder this very moment. The story is very fast paced and Mike Barlowe is a very likable character. I really enjoyed watching his interactions with Juliet. He showed a tenderness and kindness that almost surprised me, given what I knew about him up to that point. The story is very fast paced, and when everybody is heading to the Lake Country, it was almost comical. It was something that I could see easily translate to the big screen.
Bottom line -- Lake Country by Sean Doolittle is a wonderful crime novel that could easily hold it's own with books by big name authors like Dennis Lehane or Craig Johnson. The characters are realistic and the story is engaging.
October 23, 2015
Yes, I liked this book. Concise, ever moving, interesting plot, interesting characters. Two ex-marines get involved in the kidnapping of the daughter of a man who fell asleep and ended up killing the sister of a marine they both knew well a few years earlier. The man's sentence is consider too light; a week-end in prison once a year equal to the time the girl killed in the crash fought for her life before passing away.
The action is told from three points of view: the marine who is trying to stop his friend from doing the unthinkable, a TV newswoman who is afraid she had lost her edge, and a numbers runner who is saddled with a psycho his uncle assigned to him.
All of them are racing to find the kidnapped girl, who is the same age as the girl who was killed in the crash several years ago.
There are plots and subplots, surprises, and a very interesting ending. The suspense at the end is well done.
The action is told from three points of view: the marine who is trying to stop his friend from doing the unthinkable, a TV newswoman who is afraid she had lost her edge, and a numbers runner who is saddled with a psycho his uncle assigned to him.
All of them are racing to find the kidnapped girl, who is the same age as the girl who was killed in the crash several years ago.
There are plots and subplots, surprises, and a very interesting ending. The suspense at the end is well done.
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