Dead Creek (Loon Lake Fishing Mystery)

In the 2nd book in the Loon Lake Fishing mystery series, Doc Osborne is happily fishing for Muskie one day when he stumbles onto the gruesomely preserved bodies of 4 adults that had been killed and dumped in the icy water. Originally, it appeared that he had found three men and one woman, but with closer examination, it is disovered that the one that they assumed was a female is actually a malformed male. The men were frozen and dumped in the lake, apparently with the hopes that no one would find their murdered bodies in the hidden area that Doc used as his private fishing hole. And with police chief Lew Ferris out of town, Doc quickly becomes deputized again, and starts working the murder along with long-time friend and neighbor, Ray Pradt. Ray uses his contacts with an environmental investigation into the effects of the now defunct Cantrell paper mill to investigate the possible cause of the malformed body. It seems that there are some toxins in and around Dead Creek that have been causing problems with the reproductive systems of the wildlife, and Ray has been hired to assist in the study. When he is found injured after a trip out to the area of Dead Creek, a sinister plot of theft, murder, and revenge starts to unfold. Doc, Lew (having returned early from her trip), and Ray must work quickly to uncover the murderer, and save themselves from an untimely death at the hands of this sinister killer. Varying between a police procedural and a cozy, this wonderful mystery had quite a bite, and kept me wondering what might happen up until the very end. I loved the twists and turns in the book...even though I could see early on how several items tied together. I was kept awake long after I had finished this book, and was haunted by the images of the graphic standoff with the killer. I also enjoyed the budding romance between Lew and Doc, and am eager to read the next book in the series, and to visit Loon Lake again very soon. The first book in the series is called "Dead Angler". Enjoy!

Grabs you from the first page. I was unable to put this one down. Many twists and turns that will keep you guessing. If you read any of the "Dead" series read this one.

This is not your typical small-town mystery featuring a cozy fishing village. Retired dentist Paul Osborne has a habit of coming accross dead bodies, and this time it's a doozy. Four dead bodies are left frozen in a cage, with one displaying rather disturbing gender parts. Paul would rather not have much to do with this, but when asked by the lovely Police Chief Lew Ferris to help out, he cannot refuse. Paul is aided by his trusty young friend Ray, who comes from a family of lawyers and doctors yet chooses to live off the land poaching and tracking. Long lost family secrets, the effects of pollution, a strip bar, and a loon-calling contest all come into play as the three try to track down just what happened in Loon Lake...P>This is a great series with wonderful characters. I look forward to following them in the forthcoming novels.

Something about this authors charters just makes her books incredible. You can see these people without even closing your eyes.This author just has a gift that (to me)makes every page an adventure with people I feel I live next door to.

When I finished reading, Dead Creek, I went out a bought a second copy for a friend. This second novel in Victoria Houston's, Loon Lake Fishing Mystery Series is a keeper. Definitely a can't put down thriller. The characters are unforgetable. I enjoyed Ms Houston's first book, Dead Angler, and anxiously awaited this release. WOW! What an incredible few hours of absolute reading enjoyment.. Felt like I had stepped back in with a group of friends. You won't be disappointed with your visit to Loon Lake. It's always an exciting adventure. Can hardly wait for book three to be released in 2001. I know it will be worth the wait.