Customer Reviews

Running Dark: A Woods Cop Mystery (Woods Cop Mysteries)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This fourth book in the Woods Cops series is an enjoyable read. Heywood is back on top of his game here (by contrast to his third book). The plot elements all belong to and contribute to the story; we don't see diverting digressions from the story. Heywood has a gift for descriptive writing: his evocations of the outdoors settings are realistic and his account of Grady's dive into the lake waters is indeed chilling. Nice touch bringing in scenes from the present to offset the story which was set 30 years ago. I did choke on one page where Grady's ability to maintain a pace through the woods was described as "ten minute miles almost indefinitely"?? And "because of 15 inches of snow and higher drifts, unfamiliar and rolling terrain," he decides to allow 30 minutes per mile? The man's a regular beast!

It was a particularly nice touch to bring in the point that the Conservation Officers were working to carry out a state policy which really didn't make much sense other than to favor certain economic interests over older, declining interests. It really was not about maintaining fish populations or justice or fairness. Simply the politics of vested interests; the wardens were simply to carry out the policies without asking why.

As usual, Joe brought in the unique Yooper culture and language, which I was have always enjoyed in his books. His characters are believable and have feet of clay, even Grady Service. A really enjoyable story. I pull out all the Woods Cops stories once a year and read the whole series through, and enjoy them fully with each reading.

This volume of Grady Service, Yooper Michigan Conservation Officer, is almost episodic, like a collection of novellas, linked across the 30 years since his very first case. Although it is not at all in flashback form, Heywood has cleverly taken us back to the beginning of Grady's career, long ago before Vol. 1 of his series, three books ago. If you wished, you could read this novel first of all, but then you will want to hold off on reading Part 5, Cold Vengeance, because it is set in 2004, after Grady's intimate relationships have been developed in books 1-3. Grady is a cool, laconic number from the get-go, dedicated to the animals he protects for the Dept. of Natural Resources, one of the most highly politicized parts of state government (and therefore dangerous in its own right).

In this novel, the title term refers not only to boating, but to cars, based on an interesting theory that one's night vision is better if you have never ever used a flashlight. Heywood focuses tightly on one, peculiar, peninsula, with a fascinatingly distinct history of militant independence. He explores the conflict between sport and commercial fishing industries in the perpetually troubled local economy. Grady and his colleagues of various departments are put right in the middle of the fracus, in a battle for survival, let alone actually accomplishing anything lawful. While not making a point of it, there are no winners here.

Note that here is a mystery story, or rather suspense story, without a murder, without a body to be explained! --Perhaps because it is based on real history.

This is the fourth woods cop novel I have read and as usual, completely enjoyed it. If you enjoy the great outdoors or northern michigan, and then throw in a mystery with it,then this is the series for you.... I sure hope MR. Heywood continues a long and many volume involvement in this series.....

Heywood is a fantastic writer. I love the way he uses his knowledge of the environment to solve mysteries. His characters and the community of characters in his books are strong, interesting and very human. Loved the book and the entire Woods Cop series.
This is a five star series.

I KNOW JOE, BUT HE DID NOT TWIST MY ARM TO WRITE A REVIEW. I LOVE HIS WRITING. YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ THE BOOKS IN ORDER TO ENJOY THE SERIES. IT HELPS, BUT NOT ENTIRELY NECESSARY.

Reviewed by Lorraine Robins for Reader Views (8/06)

The author takes us to the beginning of Grady Service's career as a DNR officer. Grady is following in his father's footsteps, as he had worked for the DNR his entire career. The book is set in the mid 1970's.

Grady's marriage crumbles very quickly after he becomes a DNR officer. His wife does not understand why Grady would care about the Department of Natural Resources. But it is all Grady Service has ever wanted to do.

The author's main point was to have the reader experience what Grady Service goes through, trying to enforce the law against poaching, over fishing, and his struggle to enforce the limits of the law. The book has some excitement and colorful characters.

Personally, I did not find this book very captivating. I grew up in Michigan and am familiar with the Upper Peninsula. This is where the book is set. The people in that area do speak with a sort of unique accent--not exactly Canadian, but not really Midwestern. I did not care for the way the author seemed to over-emphasize how everyone was speaking in this accent. I don't know if it was supposed to be humorous, but it was lost on me. I also felt the book dragged and did not grab my interest. I had a hard time getting though it.

Based on the way this book was written, I believe it would appeal more to men than women. There was a lot of tough, macho type language and behavior in the book which seems more suited for men. It did not suit me.


Book received free of charge.

A well done story with characters that feel real. The ending surprises in several ways that ring true. I'm looking for more by the author.

I live in Michigan and have travelled the whole State. So when Heywood mentions the small towns and cities, I can immediately conjure up a picture in my mind. I have also explored many of the back roads and two-tracks in the U.P., His power of description is dead on! I connect immediately.

Even if you took that all away, I still believe the plot lines he develops in the Woods Cop series are every bit as good as any nationally recognized author. For years, I was a Clive Cussler fan, eagerly awaiting each new release in the Dirk Pitt series. Dirk got old and boring. Granted, Grady already is old :) and his adventures never get boring! I have also read some of the other "popular" Michigan mystery writers. Personally, I think Mr. Heywood's style is far more mature and refined.

I could confidently attach this review to any one of the books in the series. They are all superb. Thank you Mr. Heywood!

I have read all of Joseph Heywood's books. His Wood Cop series are mesmerizing, great reads all of them, can't put them down till I finish.

Having lived in the U.P. for over 3 decades his stories hit home from what we hear up here concerning hunting rights, land, the economics etc. Loving the outdoors one can appreciate all the obvious research Heywood has put into each novel. His words are true, the kinds of poaching he writes about goes on continually. Each of his Wood Cop series has a different kind of poaching. The characters are a bit scary, lawless, lacking morals, also lacking any kind of respect for man, woman or beast, they are all here in the U.P. Hope to see a movie down the road sometime in the future.
The characters are true to form. Their speech, which originates from the Finnish population here is in fact exactly how the old timers speak. The culture is exactly as he describes it to be among people who have lived up here is this sometimes politically forgotten land. However amongst the law abiding population you will hear people call this "God's country" We love our outdoors, wide open spaces, the thick brush, miles and miles between towns, and even our wetlands. Most people struggle to survive, but would not leave, you have to be a hardy sort to maintain here. Heywood describes his major and minor characters in these terms. He is right on the money writing about the law abiding citizens up here. We are a caring people.

At the end of Running Dark Heywood has a heartfelt description and explanation of how and why he writes about his seemingly chosen second home. It has been a pleasure to read about his main character Grady Service who dedicated his heart mind and soul to his homeland and carries on his fathers tradition of being a Wood Cop. Heywood is probably writing some of himself into these characters, the good ones that is!

I'll be waiting for Wood Cop #5