Customer Reviews

The Hunting Wind: An Alex McKnight Mystery (Alex McKnight Mysteries)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The Hunting Wind was my introduction to Steve Hamilton and, wow, what a wonderful introduction! Here is a man who writes with humor, with assurance, and with plotting skills that are right up there with the best of the best; certainly a fine, convoluted, narrative Ross Macdonald would have been proud to have written. Alex McKnight is a weary, highly believable (and very human) former cop who once had a brief-lived baseball career. It is this former career that brings Randy Wilkins, the left-handed one-time pitcher, back into his life after thirty years. Randy is a charming chatterbox who, in many ways, is still the very young man who had a shot at the big time and blew it in the first inning of his one and only major league game. And it is Randy's desire to track down Maria, the love of his young life, that takes the two men on a journey so labyrinthine that much of the state of Michigan is traversed in pursuit of the woman. Along the way the two men encounter some of the most intriguing and eccentric characters ever to appear in print--most notably the exquisitely drawn Maria and the strangely touching Chief Rudiger.

Before writing this review I ordered Hamilton's two previous books, and I will certainly buy anything else he writes. Here is an author with enormous talent who deserves all the kudos and a wide audience.

Steven Hamilton's newest book, THE HUNTING WIND, is another home run straight out of the park. He brings back Alex McKnight (A COLD DAY IN PARADISE & WINTER OF THE WOLF MOON) for a third outing that takes a hard look at the meaning of friendship and what it entails. McKnight is in the Glasgow Inn one cold night, drinking his favorite Canadian beer, when Randy Wilkins suddenly walks in to ask for his help in locating Maria Valenescu, a woman he once loved and whom he hasn't seen in thirty years. Normally, McKnight would say no to a case like this, but Wilkins was a close friend of his when they played together in the minor leagues over three decades ago, plus he's a hard man to refuse. Together, they begin to slowly track down Maria, using information on the Internet, birth records, and knocking on doors in the old neighborhoods around Detroit. Something, however, isn't quite right. When they finally locate Maria's family, both men are beaten up and almost killed by the woman's brother. It seems that Maria has been hiding from an individual named Charles Hardwood for several years. Hardwood used to be business partners with her husband, Arthur Zambelli. When Maria's husband was mysteriously murdered, she suspected that Hardwood was the one behind it so that he could take over their real estate business and marry her after everything quieted down. Maria didn't wait around. Out of fear for herself and her daughter, she took off, moving from place to place, barely managing to stay ahead of Hardwood and his private detectives. McKnight quickly realizes that he and Wilkins have gotten caught in the middle of something very deadly. It isn't until his friend is nearly killed, however, that our Michigan detective begins to understand that nothing is quite as it seems. Everyone appears to be lying and more people are definitely about to die. McKnight puts his life on the line in order to get through the tangled web of deceit, trusting no one, not even the man who was once his best friend, fighting the temptation to run as he seeks to learn the truth of who Maria really is. THE HUNTING WIND explores the bond of friendship and what it means. Through the character of Alex McKnight, we are able to learn that the image we have of someone close to us is often only a partial glimpse into the actual person. People change, people wear masks to hide their true nature, and people lie to either protect themselves or to get what they want. How good do we actually know our friends, and how far are we willing to go for the sake of friendship? These are questions posed by the author that every man must answer sooner or later. As with his first two novels, Mr. Hamilton once again weaves an intriguing tale with underlying subplots and riveting suspense, carrying the reader on a meandering path, whose final destination is unknown. The characters are vivid and true to life, making us care, hate, desire, mistrust, and ultimately to believe in them. I especially liked Maria, feeling the intense desire for her that McKnight experiences, knowing that it would be easy for any man to succumb to her seductive manipulations. The prose is taut with not a word wasted, and it grabs the reader by the shirttails in the first couple of paragraphs, demonstrating what good writing is all about. With just three novels, Steve Hamilton has managed to take his place amongst the top authors in the field of "mystery" writing. If you're an individual who likes the "Matthew Scudder" series by Lawrence Block or the "Dave Robicheaux" books by James Lee Burke, then give the novels by Steve Hamilton a shot. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

In "Cold Day in Paradise," I thought Alex McKnight was a nervous breakdown waiting to happen. In "Winter of the Wolf Moon," I thought depression was his middle name. In "Hunting Wind," I am pleased to say Alex has settled in for the long haul with dogged determination, a delightful sense of humor, and a trustfulness indeed rare in a full grown man. I think Kevin Costner should play him in the movies.

While imbibing his favorite Canadian beer in his bar of choice in Paradise, MI, the Glasgow Inn, Alex is confronted with a blast from the past, Randy Wilkins. He hasn't seen or heard from Randy, a former phenom left handed pitcher, since his minor league baseball days thirty years ago. Randy has used everything but a dog sled to get to Alex and informs him that he wants help in finding the love of his life, Maria. He hasn't seen her in thirty years either. Randy had one idyllic week with her at the height of his career (he'd been called up by the Detroit Tigers). Do any warning bells go off? Sort of, but Randy is a silver tongued devil and enchants the entire Glasgow Inn (not an easy feat.) Joe Lansdale would love this situation.

By some impressively slick detective work, Alex does by-God locate the elusive Maria. Then we get into the "be careful what you wish for, it may be granted" scenario. Everyone's character and story goes through massive shape shifting with Alex along for a rueful ride.

The dialogue is crisp and frequently hilarious. I have never read of an off-season resort town recounted so well. I particularly liked the one knot left untied: Randy. Maybe I'll figure him out by 2005.

Steve Hamilton has a natural grace as a storyteller. His character is compassionate and decent, yet filled with mischief. I hope the next novel is not too long in coming. Keep up the great work.

There's something about Alex McKnight that resonates with me. Maybe it's his bad attitude. Maybe it's his sarcasm. Or maybe it's that in the end, he's a sucker like me. In this outing, author Steve Hamilton takes on a ride through Alex's past. Through the streets of Detroit, Alex and his old friend, Randy Wilkins, are off on a crazy search for a girl Randy knew when he played for the Tigers. When Randy gets shot, Alex tenaciously searches for answers. The plot falls short because the set-up isn't that believable and the ending is too abrupt. Furthermore, Randy's personality is quite annoying. I'm glad he got shot. An enjoyable read, but not Hamilton's best.

Hamilton does a fairly good representation of Upper Michigan and the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan/Ontario and area. Clearly he has spent enough time there to cite specific locations and directions, and he captures the atmosphere pretty good, if somewhat cliche. The location lends a different backdrop to basic plotlines, and he works that backdrop into the stories in this series. A refreshing approach to a well used genre.

This is a good weekend read and very enjoyable -perfect for an afternoon by the pool or a rainy weekend at the cottage. It is a little on the 'easy reading' side of things, and not as involved plotwise as something by Ludlum or Clancy, but it is very easy to fall into the story very quickly, or pick it up again after a break. A good style for a tired mind after a busy week. I have recommended this series to others and will continue to do so as I look forward to the next book.
-Start at the beginning, as parts of the stories build on each other.

A Cold Day In Paradise 2000
Winter of the Wolf Moon 2001
The Hunting Wind 2002
North of Nowhere 2003
Blood is the Sky 2004
Ice Run 2005

This Alex McKnight story is a page-turner with a leisurly pace like his first two stories. There is never a deadened moment, and each scene propels the plot forward. Most bestsellers fans probably won't like Alex's stories, but they have yet to disappoint.

It may be April, but in Paradise, on Michigan's upper peninsula, it still feels like the middle of winter. Alex McKnight, retired Detroit policeman with a bullet still lodged near his heart and reluctant private investigator, is having a beer and enjoying the fire at the Glasgow Inn when in walks Randy Wilkins, a flash from his minor league baseball playing past. Thirty years ago, Randy got his chance to pitch in the majors. He was sent up to the Tigers, where he pitched exactly one infamous inning that all but killed his career. But during the week that he spent in Detroit, he met a young woman, Maria Valeska, a woman he claims is the love of his life, that he's never forgotten and now he'd like Alex to help him find her again. The whole story sounds ridiculous, like something out of a bad movie and with a thirty year old cold trail, Alex tries to convince Wilkins that the search is pointless. But Randy won't let go of the idea and pretty soon, they're on their way to Detroit. As their search progresses, Alex begins to realize he's caught in the middle of something a lot bigger and a lot more sinister than a simple search for lost love and as mayhem and murder ensues, that he'll be lucky to get back to Paradise alive..... Award winning novelist, Steve Hamilton, has done it again, written a tight, compelling mystery that's about to keep you up, reading, all night. His intricate, well paced plot is suspenseful, with vivid, riveting scenes and full of atmosphere and tension. His well drawn, colorful characters are interesting and original. But it's the crisp, spare, well crafted writing that really makes this book stand out and Mr Hamilton shows a very talented ear for dialogue. With a stunning conclusion that ties up all the loose ends, The Hunting Wind is definitely a book that shouldn't be missed. This is the third installment of a terrific series and each book just gets better. Do yourself a favor and read them all!

Alex McKnight gets pulled into his latest case when he is visited by old baseball friend Randy Wilkins, who wants Alex to help him find Maria, a woman he spent a week with some thirty years ago. Of course, things wind up being a lot more complicated than they initially appear.

What I liked most about this book were the characterisations. The folks in this book seemed like real people. The dialogue and situations occasionally resulted in some laugh-out-loud moments, which is rare for me. It helped gloss over the fact that this isn't the most twist-laden crime drama you'll read. In fact, if you've seen just one film noir, you'll anticipate just about everything that occurs here. The character revelations didn't exactly have me gasping out loud, and the ending is underwhelming, to say the least.

Nevertheless, I really did enjoy this book. Steve Hamilton is a talented writer and I am looking forward to tracking down more books involving these characters.

I've read all of Hamilton's McKnight novels and this one is the worst. It took me well over 300 pages to get into this novel and by that point I'd spent so much time reading the book I just wanted to be finished and done with. I've thoroughly enjoyed all of his other novels but this one just seemed to have no purpose, couldn't grab my attention, and was just a painful read. If I wasn't such a fan of his earlier books I would have put this book down after the first 40 pages. I still own this book but wouldn't put anyone through the torture of reading it. If you have yet to read the McKnight series read his first novel, A Cold Day in Paradise, it's a classic mystery.