The Big Thaw (Carl Houseman)

Its two years after the events described in `Known Dead', and it's deep winter in Iowa. The action starts with a car chase that nets a burglary lookout who is terrified that his cousins whom he dropped off two days before to rob a holiday home might have died from exposure. Deputy Carl Houseman investigate the property and find two bodies all right, but inside the property and definitely not dead from hypothermia. The absent owner arrives, all aggression and bluster, and the plot starts to thicken. Added to the pot are an over-confident FBI surveillance team, a floating casino, an incompetent sniper, paranoid right-wing loons, a frozen river, media reporters, and a very bright survivalist-cum-bank robber in the form of the infamous Gabriel, last seen in `Known Dead'. While I agree with another reviewer's comments about the sloppy proof-reading, these are infrequent enough that they didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book, and can be laid firmly at the door of the publisher, not the author. Harstad brings his protagonist, Houseman, to life with his descriptions of an experienced police officer getting dressed using short cuts learned from experience, in his realistic conversations and descriptions with other characters, in his explanations of police procedure. Houseman is a very credible character, sympathetic, astute, self-deprecating, and always hungry. Harstad imbues him with a gentle wit that is been best seen in his interactions with his favourite dispatcher, Sally Wells and DCI investigator Hester Gorse. Now, Sally could give Hester a run for her money as a detective, in my opinion. Harstads' favourite foils are back in the form of the pedantic Art Meyermann, now working for DCI, and the robotic FBI counter-terrorist agent Volont, constantly out-thought by his arch-enemy Gabriel.Like Harstad's earlier books in this series, I really enjoyed this one. Highly recommended.

Having read all three of Mr. Harstads excellent humorous and truthful novels I can honestly say that I haven't read better ones of law enforcement anywhere. I suppose having been in police work for the last 28 years and raised in a police family helps, but most people don't realize that if you don't have Harstad's sense of humor you won't survive in the job. His details of the job and descriptions of them, and of the family life of a officer make the story ever so believeable. The political ideals expressed by any or all of the characters are extremely depictive and representative of the officers and of some of the farming communities. I think we are very fortunate that we have a person that was so capable in law enforcement and now able to express such things in print. Being in police work, as it happens a rural sheriffs office just a couple of counties north of Nation Co. along the east coast of Minnesota, Winona Co. I identify very deeply with Harstad.You have to read the books, you have to believe them. Great books, great job Harstad!!!

Donald Harstad is one of the rare writers whose basic good humor shines through his work while managing not to inflict himself on the material. This is no small accomplishment, and I believe that this man is a natural. His writing is never labored; he has a splendid gift for narrative flow and for creating likeable, believable characters.The Big Thaw starts out with the mystery of who murdered two young burglars and spreads to a far larger scenario with critical international implications. Harstad actually makes us feel the miserable cold of the Iowa winter while creating a very real sense of the territory he knows so well. The climax of this tale, set on a riverboat gambling casino, is beautifully executed, causing the reader to wonder every step of the way how this impossible situation will be resolved. As it turns out, it is done with great imagination and at a pace that leaves one fairly winded.My only quibble, and it's a small one, is the author's fondness for grins. Every last character grins. Occasionally somebody smiles, but mostly, grinning rules the day. However, the editor, more than the author, is to blame for failing not only to pick up on some spelling errors but also this (admittedly minor) repetition. It certainly doesn't detract from the story or from Mr. Harstad's considerable talent, but he deserves to have his work treated with more care. I recommend this series enthusiastically.

Hang on to the handle-grips of your snowmobile! Don Harstad's third novel promises to take you on a tour of Nation County that will send chills down your spine. Harstad's gift for style can put fear in your heart and a smile on your face at the same time -- it's something great novelists have always been able to do.Ace-Deputy Sheriff Carl Houseman and co-horts show that they're up to the gamiest challenges the bad guys can thrown at them. The game starts out with mystery, becomes a game of minds over chance, and soon your racing along almost as if you're right there with them. Yes, it's "just" a story -- but darn believable -- including the ending which was a real jackpot.IMHO, this is Harstad's best so far! And if you don't believe me, read the book yourself. The evidence will prove conclusively that I know what I'm talking about.Just one more thing: all the donuts and coffee along the way were sometimes less than sweet because of the large number of typos missed by the people at Doubleday, Inc. It was a crime. And to think someone got paid to proof-read this book. The "misses" tarnish an otherwise masterfully written story. One would have thought the boys and girls at Doubleday would have read the book before printing it. Next time some desk-ridden editor would do well to give the spell-checker a rest. Or better yet, put it in a shed for a few days where it's 30-below zero and then wonder why the old computer froze up. Sorry, Doubleday, but the boo-boos were bush-league.