Musky Run: A Northern Lakes Mystery

by Jeff Nania

Olympic medalist Anna MacDonald comes home to Namekagon County to emcee the Great Wilderness Race as predators stalk the Northwoods. While occasional interactions with potentially dangerous animals are old hat for most residents, this changes when unpredictable behavior patterns make it unclear who is the hunter and who is the hunted. Sheriff John Cabrelli and the new Musky Falls chief of police work swiftly to keep the community calm as they try to piece together the clues before it is too late.

Musky Run is the fourth book in the award-winning Northern Lakes Mystery series, following Figure Eight, Spider Lake, and Bough Cutter.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

290 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2023

About the author

Jeff Nania draws upon careers in law enforcement, conservation, and his passion for our natural resources to weave together his award-winning Northern Lakes Mysteries. Whether he’s cutting wood, sitting in a wetland, fishing muskies, or snorkeling Spider Lake for treasure, Jeff spends as much time as possible outdoors.
Get "Autumn: a short story" when you sign-up at: https://feetwetwriting.com/.

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't fish, I don't even like fish. I do love small towns and the life surrounded by woods and lakes. When reading the books by Jeff Nania I actually think about starting to fish and move to the world he has created, there is a downside to the place and events surrounding the Northern Lakes howeverand that is the mortality rate. Musky Run is the fourth book in the series about John Cabrelli and it's one of the few new series I feel the need to reread. It is fantastic. I love the setting and the great set of characters he has created. In this book I love the way he handles the pros and cons when it comes to dealing with predators both on two feet and four. I also like the way he describes this small town community he has created. If someone out there has missed these books I really must say that you need to start reading them, they are great. I am so greatful to Feet Wet Wrtiting and Edelweiss for letting me read this great book and of course Jeff Nania for his magnificent imagination.

[Jo Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Musky Run. I have read all of Jeff’s previous books as his story telling, characters, and descriptions of of the north woods are developed perfectly. I couldn’t set this one down as they story was so intriguing with so many twists. This mystery in the North Lakes series, involves a cougar, a missing Olympian and the search to find her. I enjoyed the legal steps Sheriff Cabrelli and the investigative team followed. The last few chapters were fabulous! Obviously my favorite of the Northern Lakes Mystery!

[Kathy Kexel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know which is the star of this series -- Sheriff John Cabrelli or the Northwoods. Both are well developed characters. The Sheriff a good but flawed man with a great heart and impressive detective skills. Or the Northwoods, which bring back childhood memories of picking bog blueberries with my father in the southern portion of the Chequamegon National forest.

And should any readers doubt, there are cougars in Wisconsin. Just a few years back, one was prowling the downtown streets of my town, Marshfield.

Another excellent story by Jeff Nania.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Northwoods adventure!

I’ve now read all four in this fun series. They remind me of The Loon Lake Mysteries by Wisconsin author Victoria Houston. If you want to read a relatively short, fun mystery give this series a read!

[Betsy Skszek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great John Cabrelli story. I love this series- well-written mysteries set in the Wisconsin Northwoods. Highly recommend.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this whole series. I really enjoy the characters in the small, northern Wisconsin town of Musky Falls. This is the 4th book in A Northern Lake Mystery series. I flew through this one. Hometown girl and Olympic medal winner goes out for a run along a Musky Falls trail but never makes it back. A dangerous cougar has been seen in the area and growing concerns is that it may be the primary suspect.

[Jerod Fischer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a mystery novel. Nothing even happens until 150 pages into the book. Most of the book is about a cougar. The only “mystery” aspect was about 30 pages towards the end of the book.

This series is very hit and miss. I’m glad to be done with it.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I read this almost in one evening. Great storyline and good strong characters. It kept me totally engrossed. I hope there will be more books in this series.

[John A. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not much of a crime and not much about solving it. If you want a comprehensive guide to organizing and having a long distance cross-country race then this is the book for you (but even that is drawn out).

[Jeffrey-Kathy Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could hardly put it down: finished it in 3 days. Thanks for another good read.

[Jodi Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't get into the fourth book like I did the other three in the series. Just wasn't as exciting as the first three. Absolutely loved the first three!!!

[Tracey Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was instantly hooked by this winner from page one. John Cabrelli is called to the scene where a puma concolor, a mountain lion, has attacked, and the tension and suspense build from there. Add a missing American Sweetheart who is an Olympic gold medalist, a nationally recognized wilderness race and a town overloaded by fans and racers, and only one thing can make it worse. A two legged predator with a vendetta.
I learned a lot about the natural bounty of Wisconsin, mountain lions in this mountain-free state, and how police respond to a dangerous man. Like the 3 books in the Northern Lakes Mysteries before Musky Run, Nania’s attention to detail including our threatened natural resources and police procedure is impeccable.

[T.K. Sheffield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these books. Top-notch mysteries written by a Jeff Nania, an excellent writer who knows his stuff. I purchase these books at White Arrows Home in Minocqua--a fabulous shop located in the Northwoods. I recommend reading his four books in order. You'll become enthralled with the characters, the Northwoods, and the thriller mystery! This book focused on an Olympian who returns to her hometown to participate in a race. There's a twist in that cougar(s) affect the outcome. I won't spoil it, but readers will be surprised at how the story unfolds. This was not my favorite of his books, but an excellent read!

[karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The John Cabrelli series just keeps getting better! Mr Nania's latest story has everything you could want - a great mystery, a lot of thrills and characters you truly care about. This book also evokes a wonderful feeling of home and the people who matter most, whether they are the family you are born into, the family of community, the family that you choose or the family that chooses you. I loved this book for both the story it told and the feelings it brought out. I have read all of the books in this series and this is my favorite by far.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first Nania book. As a Wisconsin resident, I appreciated his setting, seeing the various real-life places and events that he recreated in fictional form. However, Nania's editor needed to give him the "show, don't tell" advice for several long sections of tedious writing to move the story along. I respect that his personal background gave him the expertise to write accurately about predator science. Kudos for that. And, while the villain was obvious from early on, Nania sure made him a despicable character.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would actually rate this a 3.5. Anyway, the plot of this book is a distinct departure from the previous three. Sometimes books in a series can be pretty formulaic so I was impressed by this departure. Anyway, a cougar is loose in Namekagon County. A lot of very interesting information about cougars is shared throughout the course of the book. A famous former resident, Anna McDonald, a gold medal winner from the Olympics comes home to emcee a sporting event. She disappears during a run. Was it the cougar?

[Sharon Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Jeff Nania does it again with this riveting tale of apex predators, humans as the most dangerous. The joy of an impending marriage and the reunion of old friends mixes with the terror of wild beasts, including a dangerously unbalanced ex-husband. Nania takes the reader through the twists and turns of small towns handling tens of thousands of visitors, the ecological ramifications of endangered species, and how families support and love each other through it all. A five-star read!

[CATHERINE M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Another great Northern Wisconsin mystery solved! I enjoyed this book as much as the previous three. Nice ending, John and Julie getting married. I hope there will be more books as it’s like we have made friends of all the characters and have a connection to their community. I sure wouldn’t mind be invited over for a fresh fish fry dinner! Nothing says Wisconsin, like a fish fry!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all four books in The Northern Lakes Mystery series and by far, this is the best! I have liked all of Jeff Nania’s books and can relate to them due to the northern Wisconsin theme. Musky Run captured my attention due to the cougar idea. In WI we occasionally see or hear of roaming cougars but according to the DNR they are just traveling thru or are they? This mystery was well written and I read it in a day.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisconsin mystery writer Jeff Nania returns with his fourth Northern Lakes mystery. When Sheriff John Cabrelli is requested to help determine what to do with a cougar that has been killing sheep, never does he expect the animal to pose a threat to humans. But then his fiance's best friend goes missing while out on a run. Nania continues to do an excellent job of portraying Wisconsin's north woods while still creating suspenseful mysteries.

[Kathy Schouten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! This is my favorite book of the series. I started reading and that was the end of my to do list- I didn’t want to put it down. Mania’s writing is addictive- his descriptions of the north woods are so good I can close my eyes and be there. His sheriff, John Cabrelli is so real - not perfect, has his flaws, makes mistakes, but appreciates the land and water around him and the people that make up a small town. Highly recommend the entire series.

[Lonnie Heidtke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended.

This is a great series of books. Stories of small town America that really pull you in. I am so glad I found the author and his Northern La
kes Mysteries. But I can't help but wonder when the next book in the series will come. There are so many great things that happen in our part of the country. I recommend this series to anyone that has a few days to read, cause you can't put these books down.

[cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hometown celebrity and Olympic winner Anna comes home for a Great Wilderness Race. Her ex-husband also shows up creating tension and havoc. John is about to marry Julie, childhood friends with Anna. Mystery develops as a cougar threatens the town. Killing farm animals, surprising a farmer and attacking him. Stalks a family hiking Etc. then Anna goes missing while hiking..is it her husband or the cougar who got their claws in her?

[Susan R. Pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in the region in which Mr. Cabrelli writes makes it impossible not to be attracted to his books. The first 3 were great and the fourth book in the Northern Lakes Mystery series does not disappoint. The research that Mr. Cabrelli puts in each of his books makes for a plot line and character development that resonates with the reader. I look forward to his 5th book!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Jeff’s writing set in northern Wisconsin. This one wasn’t of interest to me. I hate the wilderness tv shows where dogs track cougars and try to tree them. I don’t have much interest in running or races. So, it’s me, not you cliche. Others have enjoyed it so don’t dismiss it based on my thoughts.

[Margaret Mizushima · Rating 5 out of 5]

An avid outdoorsman, author Jeff Nania pits man against nature in Musky Run. Nania writes a realistic police procedural with plenty of action, the addition of K9 work, and a continuation of character John Cabrelli's life story. You'll love being transported to the Wisconsin wilderness in this chilling outdoor thriller.

[Glen Bocox · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Rate Story

While the monologue/conversations in the beginning of the book are a little stiff and like rehearsed speeches, this is one first-rate yarn about good people caring for each other. I look forward to Jeff's future stories! And it doesn't hurt that I am a fan of the Wisconsin Northwoods, either!

[Ronald Bergman · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love the the Wisconsin North Woods. It is a great vacation area. This author takes me back there with his great stories. Local author. Thought provoking mysteries. Each book touches on a unique issue. It is a great book series for those of us who love to experience nature and love the viewpoint from a local author.

[Melanie Ollila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4th book of the series, John and Julie are back with a local hometown hero. Julie’s Olympic high school friend is back to emcee a wilderness race that may become a race for her life.

Who is being hunted or is the hunter, a criminal or a cougar? Love the wilderness component to the mystery. Love the ending!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read. Multiple story paths keep you guessing and engaged. Love how relatable the main characters are. Do t want to spoil it for folks so won’t get into details, but as good or better than his previous three books.