what a great series! ( )

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.

While enjoying 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.)

With some impressive detective work, Alex does locate 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.

Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight mysteries are always good. I always feel like I know Alex by the time I am through reading. Enjoy the suspense too. And since I live in Michigan, love that that is where his books take place. ( )

This is the third book in the Alex McKnight series and it takes place in in the lower part of Michigan, rather than in the Upper Peninsula. It started out a little slower than the last two books but I have become a big fan of Alex McKnight and enjoyed reading this book nearly as much as the first two. ( )

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two books in the series. Partly that is due to the fact that the book isn't set on the U.P. this time. Most of the action takes place in Detroit. There is also a lot of story on the shore of Lake Michigan, which I did like because I have spent a lot of time there. I also didn't think the plot was as interesting this time around; by the end it started feeling sort of overly contrived. ( )

Very fast read. Plot isn't that deep, but it's believable enough. Not too much violence, 'cept at the end. Enough "detecting" to make it interesting to keep reading - the mystery is based on the reader (and Alex) not knowing who is following which agenda but this is all cleared up in the end. It's not really a matter of "Alex saves the day" but more like the story was concluded and even Alex is left wondering what the purpose of it all was.

Slightly above average in its "mystery" and nicely paced.

I don't have much else to say about it, but... you can always check out my blog: http://the-shit-that-goes-on-in-my-head.com/ ( )