I enjoyed watching Alex McKnight: the sometime's violent private detective work against his mundane plowing the cabins in and out, morning and evening. I enjoyed the quirky characters that made them more real to me. I enjoyed the complex plot. I am excited to read the next book and glad to know that there are 9 more in the Alex McKnight Series.

[This is the first of three Steve Hamilton book reviews.] ( )

Earlier this year I finally read the first book in Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight series. It had been hanging out on my ereader for years. Even before I had finished it I added the rest of the series to my TBR list. This is the second book and I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the third one soon.

Alex McKnight is a former Detroit cop who has left the department and moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and manages a group of cabins that his father built. It's a small town in an area with a pretty harsh climate. He doesn't really want to be a private detective but for the second time he gets drawn into an investigation.

It's a good series with good mysteries, interesting characters and a setting that's a little different. ( )

Another solid effort from Hamilton. ( )

The novel opens 3 months after the previous book with Vinnie (the Ojibwa friend of Alex) convincing him to play some hokey. The game takes a weird turn and before Alex had realized what is going on, there is a woman at his door asking him for help. He allows her to stay in one of his cabins and in the morning she is missing. And despite not wanting to be a PI, Alex just need to find her.

The second novel in the series is set in the middle of the Michigan's Upper Peninsula winter - in the cold and the snow. And they become a major part of the story - not as a setting but more as another character. So does Canada and the bridge between USA and Canada - they are integral not just to the story but to the life of everyone living there.

And Prudell is back (remember the old PI?) and the local and county police. So are Jackie and his bar. It is a community - with its wrinkles and warts. Somewhere along the way a house looses a wall as well but that is just an accident of course.

As for the case? Alex get beaten a lot, almost qualifies for the regular's discount in the hospital, some very bad guys show up and somewhere along the way, Alex even get arrested for a bit. The truth emerges, not before things get a lot more complicated of course.

Another great entry into the series. And even though it is June in Arizona, it made me feel cold - Hamilton is that good in his craft. ( )

The reader's interest is engaged at all times with the interesting characters, Alex's actions and reactions, and the descriptive passages. What I needed is a more coherent plot that doesn't fall flat at the end. I'm looking forward to Steve Hamilton's future efforts. He is too good a writer to disappoint us ( )