Customer Reviews

Skeleton Lake

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

 

 

Nik Kane was an Anchorage police detective until he was convicted of a crime and spent seven years in prison. When he was exonerated he took a job as a security firm investigator. On his latest case, he was shot and almost died; his son, who was pursuing the same murderer, did die. Nik's wife wants nothing to do with him; so his sister the nun allows him to stay with her while he recuperates.

While healing, Nik flashes back to his youth. In 1967 his father walked out and never came back; his mother never told him why. He thinks of 1985 when he was a rookie and someone assassinated tough police officer Danny Shirtleff with two bullets to his head near Skeleton Lake. Nik and his partner Jackie Dee never learned why Danny was uncover by a make out place; the case went cold without the slightest suspect surfacing. To pass time while recovering, Nik goes over the files he has from the Shirtleff murder.

The story line skips around between the three dates with each representing something critical that happened to Nik; these actually represent three storylines that merge brilliantly though it is somewhat confusing into a strong character driven tale. Readers will learn more about Nik's past that motivates him in the present as Mike Doogan provides a strong shrewd tale that his fans will appreciate.

Harriet Klausner

This is the third book in the Nik Kane/Alaska series and I was not disappointed. Nik is not your stereotypical private eye - he is often hard to like and his relationships with his wife and children are complex and interesting. The depiction of life as a police officer and the impact that has on a marriage rings very true (personal experience speaking here). If you are a 'Spencer' fan then I think this series will appeal to you. Would recommend that you start with the first book 'Lost Angel'. WARNING: This book jumps around quite a bit from Nick's childhood to present day to his early days as a police detective. I thought the author did a good job of keeping the reader from being confused, but I know some people absolutely hate when a story skips back and forth in time.

Mike Doogan is fantastic. Seems like he takes you right there. Too bad he is so busy keeping S.P. in line. He should devote more time to writing. (not that the prevoius job doesn't need doing.)

Combines several of my favorite things: Alaska, the noir genre, murder mystery, police procedural, flawed yet heroic protagonist, fascinating characters, intricate and zippy-plotting, ... and, oh yeah, great writing! Doogan's a fun, quick-witted writer who offers up a story with soul balanced with a mystery that will keep you engrossed and guessing. Give it a try! (And be sure to look for the first and second prequels "Lost Ange" "Capitol Offense.")

I loved Mike Doogans previous books. The story behind Skeleton Lake was great but did not like the format of jumping back and forth in time. Too confusing causing a lot of re-read and stopped reading it half way thru.

This is my first foray into the world of detective Nik Kane and, had I known there were other books in the series, I would have started with them. I found this on my library's new releases shelf and read it in a couple of days. The story itself is comprised of three plotlines, one in the present day and two in the past. The past two plotlines develop Nik's character as we learn how and why his father disappeared in the late 1960s and how he solved an officer's murder in 1985. The present day case, set in 2007, is murkier, but it involves the death of his son, Dylan, in the line of duty.

The story was confusing at times, as each chapter is set in a different year. The characters are vivid and realistic. All in all, an enjoyable read for a winter night.

I think there is something wrong with this guy. He violates the civil rights of private citizens. I would never buy one of his petty books.