Resort to Murder: Thirteen More Tales of Mystery by Minnesota's Premier Writers

by Barbara DaCosta, Lorna Landvik, Jess Lourey, et al.

Book Overview

Editors Carl Brookins, Ellen Hart and William Kent Krueger (known as the Minnesota Crime Wave) have solicited 13 riveting stories of murder, mystery and mayhem, in this follow-up to the best-selling... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932472479
• ISBN13: 9781932472479
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Nodin Press
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.2" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Reviewing: Resort to Murder

Awhile back, I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing the anthology "Silence of the Loons." Put out by the "Minnesota Crime Wave" (Ellen Hart, Carl Brookins and William Kent Krueger) the anthology was a good one and I enjoyed it immensely. So, Carl Brookins sent me a review copy of their latest anthology quite some time ago. I was thrilled and added it to mount TBR which promptly surrounded it, burped in satisfaction and continued to grow. I'm officially over 300 books now at last count and woefully behind in my reading. Fortunately, Texas is a long away from Minnesota so I should be relatively safe. After a brief introduction by Lorna Landvik on why Minnesota produces so many good mystery writers, the book delves into the tales. There are 13 tales by 13 writers which include the three of the "Minnesota Crime Wave" and many more authors. Each tale is set at a fictional resort in Minnesota and each one is complex and enjoyable with no depictions of graphic violence, gore or sex. Some of the tales can be described more fully than others simply because to comment on some of them would blow the read. Having read many reviews that told way too much, I always lean towards being very cautious in my reviews so the tales will be explained as much as possible or not as the case may be. William Kent Krueger kicks off the killing in his "Hills Like White Rabbits." Cooper knew they planned to kill him. Exactly how was the part that was still a mystery." (Page 2) "The Locked Fish-cleaning House Mystery" by Jess Lourey is next. While the title may not be inspired, this tale about an elderly woman determined to party and solve a murder at the same time is. Followed by "14-A" written by Ellen Hart that takes a look at the pain of love and how relationships evolve or de-evolve over time. The little things begin to burrow under the skin and an outside threat can make everything explode. The age old theme of cheating comes to light in the tale of "Miss Behavin'" by David Housewright. A favorite author of mine whose most recent novel is "Dead Boyfriends" creates here a story a story full of misdirection and complications. "Out of the Jacuzzi, Into the Sauna" by Scott Pearson marks the author's first published mystery story despite a long and impressive publishing history in various areas. Kate and Bill, a married couple, have known things at Great Lakes Lodges were wrong from the moment they called to confirm their check in. They didn't know that while they could check in, they easily might never check out. Pat Dennis follows with a tale titled "Mother's Day." Carl has had enough of dear old mom and he has a plan. If you haven't read Carl Brookins before you have really missed out. "Bloody Halls" was/is an excellent book as is the often laugh out loud "The Case of the Greedy Lawyers" featuring private investigator Sean no middle initial Sean always present in his red sneakers. Sean also makes an appearance here in the tale titled "Fish Story." Se

All the stories are above average

In Lake Woebegone, all the children are above average. In this collection of creepy, quirky, and scary tales of Minnesota not-so-nice, all the stories are above average. Way above average. No one should head to the north woods without having this book with them, just in case it rains. But make sure the cabin door is bolted, or at least that the tent fly is zipped up tight. You'll find yourself checking to make sure that snap or crunch you think you heard isn't something a lot more heinous than a forest critter. Especially notable is the final story, by Judith Yates Borger, which asks the persistent question: "What's one real estate developer more or less, anyway?"

These Minnesota resort-based mysteries will certainly entertain

(Introduction by author Lorna Landvik) Minnesota abounds with mystery writers. I'm not sure if it's about lutefisk, as Lorna Landvik suggests in her introduction to Resort to Murder, or if it's about the cold winters and muggy summers. Perhaps it's just because there is an abundance of talent in Minnesota. A fluke of nature. In any case, Nodin Press and thirteen talented Minnesota writers took on a challenge of writing mystery stories that take place at a Minnesota resort. Let me tell you, going `up north' to the cabin (resort) will never be the same for me. I will constantly search the woods for stray bodies, wonder what is buried beneath near the volleyball court, and I will always check out the resort handyman--I could go on and on. Suffice to say, the thirteen Minnesota writers hit the mark with their anthology. For fans of Ellen Hart (I am a huge fan), she's written a scathing take on the downside of marriage in 14-A that you won't want to miss. Pat Dennis gives the reader a new take on Mother's Day (I've got my eye on my kids now). Judith Yates-Borger takes on tradition and progress when a developer who wants to turn a resort into private homes and loses his life over the decision in Hunter's Lodge. And Barbara DeCosta deals with the death of a relationship in Cabin 6. There are also wonderful stories by William Kent Krueger (one of my favorite mystery authors), Carl Brookins and David Housewright (I loved Dead Boyfriend) and others. Armchair Interviews says: Pick up a copy of Resort to Murder and be prepared to be entertained. Oh, and keep the lights on.