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Murder in Muskoka #1
Murder in Muskoka
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 14, 2024
As much as this book is genuinely a dockside reader, it contains enough mystery to keep one reading well past bedtime!
As I grew up in Muskoka, there’s also fun to revisit my old haunts, even with some of the details tweaked
As I grew up in Muskoka, there’s also fun to revisit my old haunts, even with some of the details tweaked
August 29, 2026
Loved this book, it was great to read on the docks at Taboo ! I loved how I knew all the locations within the book ! Very cool. This book definitely kept me entertained and I’m excited to read Gold and Greed !
March 8, 2019
Very quick read not much unlike a Nancy Drew mystery and a bit sexist.
March 11, 2023
3 novels in one omnibus book. Just a mystery but interesting because it takes place in areas that I know
August 27, 2025
I live in Muskoka! This book was a real can't put down page turner!
March 24, 2012
This mystery is a quick read, perfect for a lazy afternoon.
Ian Murdoch, an Ontario Provincial Police homicide investigator, finds a body washed ashore on his island. Foul play is determined and Murdoch becomes the lead investigator into the case. A set of human remains is also soon discovered so Murdoch is charged with solving two cases.
Part of the appeal for me was the setting, the Muskoka region of Ontario with which I am familiar. What is interesting is that the author doesn't just use the beautiful scenery of the area as a backdrop; he incorporates tourist attractions like the Segwun, the oldest operating steamship in North American, and the history of the region as well, including the World War II prisoner-of-war camp for German naval officers.
There is sufficient suspense to keep a person reading. The primary technique to create this suspense is point of view. The killer's identity is revealed to the reader early on; the suspense comes from wondering when Murdoch will learn the killer's identity and if he will do so in time to save another potential victim.
The ending is a surprise that I think few readers would guess beforehand. What is great is that when the reader thinks back, he/she will realize that there is foreshadowing but it is subtle enough so as not to ruin the surprise. All the pieces fit.
The book is not flawless. There are some gaps in logic. For example, a character receives a phone call and says, "'. . . I can tell by the ring that it's long distance'" (114). Was this possible in 2004? There are also some too-convenient coincidences: a chance encounter between Murdoch and the killer; a rental car break-down which requires the killer to make a convenient change in vehicles; the involvement of a particular police officer in the investigation.
The problems are minor, however. Anyone looking for a fast-paced, entertaining mystery would enjoy this one.
Please check out my blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
Ian Murdoch, an Ontario Provincial Police homicide investigator, finds a body washed ashore on his island. Foul play is determined and Murdoch becomes the lead investigator into the case. A set of human remains is also soon discovered so Murdoch is charged with solving two cases.
Part of the appeal for me was the setting, the Muskoka region of Ontario with which I am familiar. What is interesting is that the author doesn't just use the beautiful scenery of the area as a backdrop; he incorporates tourist attractions like the Segwun, the oldest operating steamship in North American, and the history of the region as well, including the World War II prisoner-of-war camp for German naval officers.
There is sufficient suspense to keep a person reading. The primary technique to create this suspense is point of view. The killer's identity is revealed to the reader early on; the suspense comes from wondering when Murdoch will learn the killer's identity and if he will do so in time to save another potential victim.
The ending is a surprise that I think few readers would guess beforehand. What is great is that when the reader thinks back, he/she will realize that there is foreshadowing but it is subtle enough so as not to ruin the surprise. All the pieces fit.
The book is not flawless. There are some gaps in logic. For example, a character receives a phone call and says, "'. . . I can tell by the ring that it's long distance'" (114). Was this possible in 2004? There are also some too-convenient coincidences: a chance encounter between Murdoch and the killer; a rental car break-down which requires the killer to make a convenient change in vehicles; the involvement of a particular police officer in the investigation.
The problems are minor, however. Anyone looking for a fast-paced, entertaining mystery would enjoy this one.
Please check out my blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
March 8, 2014
Just found this series and thought I'd try to banish an overlong winter with a 'summer-time' book set in Muskoka. My first review of this title was a little harsh, so I have revised this one.
Even so it still stands that in the first chapter I noticed two typos, one of which could have been a subconscious spoiler or...just sloppy editing and a missed error from an earlier draft. A previous reader had circled it. So I'm not the only one. Ah well.
Kept reading despite a growing feeling that the clunky style was beginning to bother me. Character development felt cliche ridden and there was not nearly enough life here to make me care about these people.
After pushing along past the fourth chapter, I took a break and checked out the author's bio. Ye GODS! Born 1923? Holy hannah...no wonder I get that sinking "Dragnet" feeling in this basically pedestrian effort.
So the premise is a fair one and suggests interesting potential but the characters were wooden and the writing style rather banal. For a dockside read as the sun bakes your brain perhaps the puzzle plot is enough for some. As this is actually the first in what seems to be a productive series I might try another one and see if the next ones show improvement.
Or maybe not.
Even so it still stands that in the first chapter I noticed two typos, one of which could have been a subconscious spoiler or...just sloppy editing and a missed error from an earlier draft. A previous reader had circled it. So I'm not the only one. Ah well.
Kept reading despite a growing feeling that the clunky style was beginning to bother me. Character development felt cliche ridden and there was not nearly enough life here to make me care about these people.
After pushing along past the fourth chapter, I took a break and checked out the author's bio. Ye GODS! Born 1923? Holy hannah...no wonder I get that sinking "Dragnet" feeling in this basically pedestrian effort.
So the premise is a fair one and suggests interesting potential but the characters were wooden and the writing style rather banal. For a dockside read as the sun bakes your brain perhaps the puzzle plot is enough for some. As this is actually the first in what seems to be a productive series I might try another one and see if the next ones show improvement.
Or maybe not.
February 1, 2011
An enjoyable police procedural (although the murderer and motive are suggested in italic sections). The setting is familiar, and fun to read about; Bracebridge, Taboo resort, the Segwun and the POW camp during WWII in Gravenhurst, all figure in the plot. OPP detective Ian Murdoch is on leave after the death of his wife (from cancer?), when a body washes up on his island in Lake Muskoka. This is the catalyst to get him back working, as he leads the investigation into James Walters' untimely death.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews