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Stolen Past
Doug Fletcher, a retired Minnesota detective, relocates to Arizona and a quiet life as a part-time National Park Service ranger.
His plans change abruptly when a suspicious fall at a national monument plunges him into the world of stolen antiquities, ruthless drug smugglers, and shady antiques dealers.
Working with Jamie Ballard of the Navajo Nation Police, Doug finds their investigation complicated by the demands of his visiting family, a new boss, an overly friendly neighbor, the FBI, and his new environment.
Editorial Reviews
“Hovey’s greatest strength is his artful use of suspense.”
“Hovey writes a well-researched story with realistic characters who aren’t just cardboard cutouts like so many writers that crank out potboilers.”
His plans change abruptly when a suspicious fall at a national monument plunges him into the world of stolen antiquities, ruthless drug smugglers, and shady antiques dealers.
Working with Jamie Ballard of the Navajo Nation Police, Doug finds their investigation complicated by the demands of his visiting family, a new boss, an overly friendly neighbor, the FBI, and his new environment.
Editorial Reviews
“Hovey’s greatest strength is his artful use of suspense.”
“Hovey writes a well-researched story with realistic characters who aren’t just cardboard cutouts like so many writers that crank out potboilers.”
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2019
12 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Dean L. Hovey
49 books61 followersDean is the best-selling author of more than thirty books in three series including the award winning "Family Trees."
His Pine County series are set in rural Pine County Minnesota and are hard-boiled thrillers featuring the Pine County Sheriff's Department.
His Doug Fletcher series are set in National Parks and Monuments. Fletcher is a retired St. Paul police detective who's drafted by the Park Service to investigate a number of murders, suspicious deaths, toxic waste dumping and other crimes. This series is also somewhat hard-boiled, but include a touch of romance and humor as Doug sorts out his relationship with his former boss, Jill Rickowski.
The Whistling Pine series are cozies set in Two Harbors Minnesota. The protagonist is the recreation director of the Whistling Pines retirement community and he deals with the day-to-day issues of his senior citizens and is reluctantly dragged into the investigations of local murders.
His Pine County series are set in rural Pine County Minnesota and are hard-boiled thrillers featuring the Pine County Sheriff's Department.
His Doug Fletcher series are set in National Parks and Monuments. Fletcher is a retired St. Paul police detective who's drafted by the Park Service to investigate a number of murders, suspicious deaths, toxic waste dumping and other crimes. This series is also somewhat hard-boiled, but include a touch of romance and humor as Doug sorts out his relationship with his former boss, Jill Rickowski.
The Whistling Pine series are cozies set in Two Harbors Minnesota. The protagonist is the recreation director of the Whistling Pines retirement community and he deals with the day-to-day issues of his senior citizens and is reluctantly dragged into the investigations of local murders.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 7, 2025
I'm glad I read the first couple of reviews!
I usually start reading the one-star reviews first, except in this instance, there weren't any one, two, or three star reviews. The five-star reviews sounded like this book would be just what I was looking for. It was! I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were real people, the action was well paced, and well-written.
On the other hand, this predictive text app used to submit ratings is dreadful.
I usually start reading the one-star reviews first, except in this instance, there weren't any one, two, or three star reviews. The five-star reviews sounded like this book would be just what I was looking for. It was! I enjoyed it immensely. The characters were real people, the action was well paced, and well-written.
On the other hand, this predictive text app used to submit ratings is dreadful.
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February 8, 2021Loved this book
Loved this book, as good as all his others. Love this author. Love his books about Pine county now I'm hooked on this series
Loved this book, as good as all his others. Love this author. Love his books about Pine county now I'm hooked on this series
January 16, 2023
Intriguing
I liked watching the Park Services and the Navajo police force collaborate. The book is fast moving with twist and turns. I will be reading more novels in this group.
I liked watching the Park Services and the Navajo police force collaborate. The book is fast moving with twist and turns. I will be reading more novels in this group.
August 1, 2019
These reviews are from Amazon:
I have enjoyed other books by this author, but I was especially impressed with this new series set in Arizona involving Park Ranger, Doug Fletcher. The author wove an intricate web of stolen antiquities, drug smuggling, and murder into a novel that was both compelling and delightful to read. By delightful, I mean that Dean Hovey has a sly sense of humor that permeates his writing and highlights his ability to create genuine and likable characters. In the midst of the mayhem, I found myself laughing out loud at some of his clever descriptions, or comments. I recommend this book highly!
Well worth your time, an enjoyable read.
I believe that I’ve read each of Dean Hovey’s books and “Stolen Past” ranks near the top in reading enjoyment. Being an expatriate Minnesotan, I was afraid I’d miss the many references in previous books of familiar Minnesota locations and expressions, but I enjoyed learning a bit more about the southwest USA during my reading of “Stolen Past”.
You will LOVE Doug Fletcher
Dean L Hovey brings us to Arizona and introduces us to a completely new character with Stolen Past. Anyone who has read Dean's books know they're meticulously written with wonderful details as well as all the ends "tied up neatly." With Stolen Past, Dean does not disappoint. His description of the Flagstaff area has inspired my next vacation destination.
I have enjoyed other books by this author, but I was especially impressed with this new series set in Arizona involving Park Ranger, Doug Fletcher. The author wove an intricate web of stolen antiquities, drug smuggling, and murder into a novel that was both compelling and delightful to read. By delightful, I mean that Dean Hovey has a sly sense of humor that permeates his writing and highlights his ability to create genuine and likable characters. In the midst of the mayhem, I found myself laughing out loud at some of his clever descriptions, or comments. I recommend this book highly!
Well worth your time, an enjoyable read.
I believe that I’ve read each of Dean Hovey’s books and “Stolen Past” ranks near the top in reading enjoyment. Being an expatriate Minnesotan, I was afraid I’d miss the many references in previous books of familiar Minnesota locations and expressions, but I enjoyed learning a bit more about the southwest USA during my reading of “Stolen Past”.
You will LOVE Doug Fletcher
Dean L Hovey brings us to Arizona and introduces us to a completely new character with Stolen Past. Anyone who has read Dean's books know they're meticulously written with wonderful details as well as all the ends "tied up neatly." With Stolen Past, Dean does not disappoint. His description of the Flagstaff area has inspired my next vacation destination.
December 30, 2021
There's a reason why this book has already garnered a couple of five star reviews on Amazon. It's exceptionally well written; the setting is breathtaking and the characters are as unique and individual as you're likely to find. I love mysteries - all kinds of mysteries, but I confess those featuring Native American hero's and heroine's have a special place in my heart (maybe because the special man in my life is part Native American) but this book is so well written; the setting just comes alive under his skillful handling and the paranormal aspects are icing on the cake. Very well done Dean Hovey. Highly recommended.
December 1, 2019
Great new character by Dean Hovey. Doug Fletcher may not live in Minnesota any longer, but he still has that Minnesota flair I love. I will definitely read more of his adventures!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews