North of nowhere [Import] [Hardcover]

Steve HAMILTON (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Orion; 1st Ed. edition (2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752852744
• ISBN-13: 978-0752852744
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,008,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steve Hamilton was born in Detroit and attended the University of Michigan, where he was awarded the prestigious Avery Hopwood Prize for writing. His first novel, A Cold Day in Paradise, won the St. Martin's Press/PWA Best First Private Eye Novel Contest before going on to win both the Edgar and Shamus Awards for Best First Novel. In 2006, Steve won the Michigan Author Award for his outstanding body of work. He lives in Cottekill, New York, with his wife, Julia, and their two children. Visit his Web site at www.authorstevehamilton.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner!, June 27, 2002

By 

Charlotte Vale-Allen (CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: North of Nowhere: An Alex McKnight Novel (Alex McKnight Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Steve Hamilton writes with great assurance--lean prose with exceptional characterizations and superior plotting. He has yet to disappoint. This time out, the temperamental McKnight winds up in a world of trouble simply by acting as the last-minute sixth player in a poker game at the home of the feisty (think bantam rooster) and eccentric Win Vargas. When a holdup occurs mid-game and Vargas's safe is burgled and some of his treasured artifacts lifted, Vargas comes to the bizarre conclusion that McKnight is the mastermind behind the plot.

With the help of his former partner, Leon Prudell (the lovably nerdy straight arrow who has to be one of the most unlikely private investigators ever created) McKnight ultimately unravels the the how of the scheme--but not before his friend/mentor Jackie winds up in the hands of a pair of lethal Canadian brothers. With a climax that is literally cold and wet and stomach-churningly tense, this is a can't-put-down mystery.

Then, with what used to be called "a sting in the tail" Hamilton adds a painful little twist at the end that is completely unexpected.
Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hamilton's great, but this one misses the mark...., May 12, 2002

By 

Mr. R. H. Thompson "miamimysteryreader" (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: North of Nowhere: An Alex McKnight Novel (Alex McKnight Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Having read all 3 of Hamilton's previous novels, I was anxious to see what he had in store for us this time around. I have to say that I was disappointed. The story starts out with us learning that Alex McKnight was having a mid-life crisis. By the time I was halfway through it, I was wondering if Steve Hamilton might not be having one too.

The story just didn't draw me in the way the others did. It seemed rushed, and the characters were not nearly as well developed as in his previous works. While the ending was a kind of a surprise, I was still glad this story was over.

If you're looking for a good read, check out Hamilton's first 3 novels...all are fantastic. If you've already read them, and enjoyed them as much as I did, then I'd suggest you save yourself [the money] on this one and wait for the paperback.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars robust McKnight mystery, May 12, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: North of Nowhere: An Alex McKnight Novel (Alex McKnight Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Turning forty-nine this summer in Paradise, Michigan, Alex McKnight spends a lot time reflecting on his life so far but finds it wanting. He turns reclusive until his pal, Glasgow Inn owner Jackie Connery, bullies Alex to join a poker game hosted by wealthy developer Win Vargas. During the game, Win claims that one of the regulars, not playing that night, is having an affair with his wife.

Not long afterward, three hoods break and enter the Vargas home. They make Win go upstairs with one of them while the other two point guns at the heads of the remaining five card players. Instead of robbing Win of his wife's jewels and the men of their wallets, they destroy his marine and Indian artifact collection before leaving. A stunned Win ponders how they knew the location of his secret safe. Unable to say no, Alex heeds the call of the wife of his former private investigative partner Leon Prudell to keep her husband safe while he investigates the robbery for Win.

The latest McKnight mystery is a robust entry because the audience sees another side of the hero, struggling with his age and his lack of success in life. The story line starts off focusing on Alex' internal skirmish, but quickly picks up speed when he gets involved with Win via the card game and through Leon. Alex is at his best and the support cast augments the isolated feeling of going NORTH OF NOWHERE that shows why Steve Hamilton is an award-winning author.

Harriet Klausner