Customer Reviews

Cold Water Burning

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every few pages there is a body. Even at book's end a skeleton shows up. Nevertheless, this is not a bloody book. It is a tightly constructed mystery with well delineated characters. It moves right along, with ravens, like a Greek chorus, checking on the action. Plenty of red herrings to mislead the reader. Recommendable.

Cold Water Burning by John Straley is the latest foray of Cecil Younger the private eye. In this outing, our intrepid hero (who is on the wagon) is caught up in a nasty investigation involving a murder of a family. The more Younger digs, the more bodies turn up. An excellent tale that reaches heights of poetic expression without being corny. By far the best novel of Straley's to date. Though all good, this one is quite touching. The descriptions of the folks of Sitka could be like that of any small town America.

I will start out declaring my bias: I lived in Sitka, Alaska for 7 years (now in Juneau for the past 3) and know John and the people of Sitka well. It is for this reason actually I thought I would share something, possibily of interest, with readers or potential readers of John's work.

It was quite obvious to me that John used his latest novel not only to entertain his readers, but to tip his hat to the people of Sitka who have provided him such good material and, more importantly, friendship over the past many years.

Many of the positive side characters and a few of the main ones in this latest novel are John's friends and neighbors. If not in total, at least enough to convey a "tip of the hat" from John to them. While this is not unique to this book or John as a writer, he references so many local people and in such a way that reading the book was like watching him shake hands and pat the backs of his fellow Sitkans.

I hope readers are able to pick up on this and that it allows them to feel perhaps even more immeresed in the Sitka by the Sea John describes so well.

I've been a fan of Straley's books after visiting Sitka, which is where he lives. I have read them all and without question this is the best yet! I love an unpredictable book, Straley does well in this fashion.

This is one of those books you find yourself reading into the wee hours of the morning. Definitely a fun read and nonstop action.

I gave it only four stars because a truly great book has interesting ideas in addition to an interesting plot. In truth, I would have given it 4.5 stars if that was an option.

Straley's books are all consistently fun to read. The earlier novels are more rich with Native American folklore. This one has an intricate plot that keeps twisting this way and that all of the way until the end.

Read this book now. You won't be sorry.

"Cold Water Burning" is a fine novel. John Straley's prose is
graphic and precise, at times becoming poetry--as one might guess from the title. The characters are unique, believable, and finely-drawn. They live in the plot, not because of the plot: that is to say, the action develops because the characters themselves are the humans they are, surviving life as best they know how.

I've just ordered more John Straley novels--they are a delight.

Three years ago in Sitka, Alaska, Richard Ewers was found not guilty of the murder of two adults and two children. Many people still believe Richard killed those four people in the infamous Mygirl deaths in which the killer burned the fishing boat to destroy the evidence. Private detective Cecil Younger helped the defense on the case.

Now, Richard's wife Patricia asks Cecil to help again as her spouse is missing along with $50,000. She believes her husband's enemies from that murder case have abducted him. Following the money trail, Cecil realizes he will probably learn what really happened three years ago. However, he never expected to have to go out to sea during a terrible storm just to find the answers.

Award winning John Straley returns with a fabulous Younger tale that shows why the author deserves a much larger following. The story line uses the stark Alaskan landscape as a backdrop to a host of eccentric characters whom readers will adore in a Northern Exposure type of way. The mystery is well designed and entertaining with the action turning wild during the storm. Mr. Straley has written a first rate Alaskan mystery that will bring much pleasure to fans of the sub-genre.

Harriet Klausner

Cecil Younger, an ambiguous character that seems to have, sort of, struggled with himself and his character flaws somewhere in his past ... and quit drinking. He has a lovely "lover" and an unexpected daughter. This guy doesn't appear to struggle with inner demons, just a type of guy that feels emotions, notes occurrences and events, and carries on. Basically, here lies glimpses into a life which holds nothing deep, dark or hugely secret, except for the murders that happen in his town. The characters drive this story and the plot; the private eye follows the bread crumbs, or, in this case, boat(s).

The outstanding events in this book take place on the boat(s), in pre, mid and post storm. I found this to be very exciting reading. Interesting characters filled the pages, and a brisk plot whisked, me, the reader, to a plausible ending.

The cover of my paperback copy has a Denver Post review excerpt: "Straley's done the impossible; he's reinvented the private eye novel". That would be a stretch. The book falls short of great ideas and insight, and does not lend anything new to the genre, just a different take; that said, Cold Water Burning holds up as a very good read.

John Straley's writing reaches new heights in this novel. The prose is wonderful, as always, and this time John makes the plot compelling, tight, and nerve-racking. The book explores the darker nature of men (while all the women are full of light and beauty) and leads us on a harrowing adventure into the weak side of human nature. John's work makes reference to classic authors such as W. B. Yeats and others, which makes the reading fun (if only I got all the references - which I am sure I did not). The book is a true gem from a wise and entertaining author.

This is the best Straley novel I have read. Being an expat in Australia, a former resident of Sitka, I thoroughly enjoy going back to Sitka, and the setting he evokes so strongly. Well Done John. Thank you.