It could have been an easy "5" and in many ways was - wonderful use of the English Language; nature descriptions that took you there. Problems? Characters "thin" - after a whilel (except for one or two "sub-characters who showed some promised"; and plot??? it would start to get reader excited but then slip back into "Soap Opera" mood. Not against Soap Operas if that is what one wants, but one reads a murder mystery to read a murder mystery not "Days of Our . . ." Having said that I cannot wait to read the next book in the Sean Stranahan series. ( )

I read this book way back April/May, but never really got to write a review for it. I was looking for a new series to read and this one seemed like a good choice since I got Longmire vibes when it came to the story. Well, it got a sheriff and it takes place in Montana. Also, I was hoping to get approved for the latest book in the series so I bought this one so I had some back story to the latest one if I got approved, which I did.

The body of a young man is reeled in by a fishing guide and Sheriff Martha Ettinger suspects that it's murder. Ettinger then crosses paths with a newcomer to the state; fly fisher, painter, and an ex-privet detective Sean Stranahan. Stranahan is hired to find the brother of singer Velvet Lafayette even though Stranahan no longer works as a privet detective. Stranahan and Ettinger's soon find that their cases seemed to be linked together.

I must admit that the case it itself really didn't hook me that much, it took some time for me to get into the story. I mean I love the characters, both Ettinger and Stranahan are great and I love all the flirting between them, there is an attraction, but none of that nonsense instalove stupidity. But it was a hell of a lot of fly fishing and the case just felt so-so. Well until the ending, when everything started to come together. Then, the story really started to work for me.

So this book started to slow but got up to speed towards the end. It was well written, I loved the character and I know after reading the latest book that it will just keep on getting better. And, the best part? There are two unread books of which I own one. And, now after writing this review am I really excited to start reading it! ( )

A book about fly fishing trying to disguise itself as a murder mystery. Unbelievable characters and their interactions take up the first 40% of the book before the author even begins to tackle the mystery and/or motives.

I'm sorry I could not read the whole book I was so b-o-r-e-d, I stopped at 45% read and said enough is enough. ( )

I liked this. Was a bit like listening to Guy Noir on Prairie Home Companion - down home folks, sabotaging an industry, hero (in distress), hot lady in distress....
Cute. Almost a cozy mystery? (Though I don't tend to go for those) Not vapid however, despite the "formula".
Oh, and I fly fish, which may add to my reasons, though I don't tie files.
A great vacation book to get lost in for a few days. ( )

I read this book way back April/May, but never really got to writing a review for it. I was looking for a new series to read and this one seemed like a good choice since I got Longmire vibes when it came to the story. Well, it got a sheriff and it takes place in Montana. Also, I was hoping to get approved for the latest book in the series so I bought this one so I had some back story to the latest one if I got approved, which I did.

The body of a young man is reeled in by a fishing guide and Sheriff Martha Ettinger suspects that it's murder. Ettinger then crosses paths with a newcomer to the state; fly fisher, painter, and an ex-privet detective Sean Stranahan. Stranahan is hired to find the brother of singer Velvet Lafayette even though Stranahan no longer works as a privet detective. Stranahan and Ettinger's soon finds that their cases seemed to be linked together.

I must admit that the case it itself really didn't hook me that much, it took some time for me to get into the story. I mean I love the characters, both Ettinger and Stranahan are great and I love all the flirting between them, there is an attraction, but none of that nonsense instalove stupidity. But it was a hell of a lot of fly fishing and the case just felt so-so. Well until the ending, when everything started to come together. Then, the story really started to work for me.

So this book started to slow but got up to speed towards the end. It was well written, I loved the character and I know after reading the latest book that it will just keep on getting better. And, the best part? There are two unread books of which I own one. And, now after writing this review am I really excited to start reading it! ( )