Dead Hot Shot

A Loon Lake Mystery #9

by Victoria Houston

Murder never takes a holiday...or so Loon Lake learns one wintry Thanksgiving Day.Chief of Police Lew Ferris, short-handed thanks to an AWOL coroner, never even gets the turkey stuffed before the bodies start to surface. By the end of the day, credit card theft and dysfunctional families have so muddied the waters that not even expert tracker and dedicated fishing guide Ray Pradt can hope to fish the final day of muskie season. And while retired dentist Doc Osborne had counted on sitting by the fire with Lew (out of uniform) and planning a fly-fishing trip to Wyoming, the unexpected arrival of Gina Palmer, former investigative reporter turned forensics database expert, ramps up the action with her pursuit of a Canadian link to the theft of merchandise from stores across the upper Midwest. Dead Hot Shot, ninth in the Loon Lake Mystery series, is a heady mix of murder, mayhem, and fishing in the northwoods of Wisconsin.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

She is the author of the Loon Lake Mystery Series -- DEAD ANGLER, DEAD CREEK, DEAD WATER, DEAD FRENZY, DEAD HOT MAMA, DEAD JITTERBUG, DEAD BOOGIE, DEAD MADONNA, DEAD HOT SHOT, DEAD RENEGADE. DEAD DECEIVER, DEAD TEASE, DEAD INSIDER, DEAD HUSTLER, DEAD RAPUNZEL, DEAD LOUDMOUTH, DEAD SPIDER, DEAD FIREFLY, DEAD BIG DAWG and WOLF HOLLOW in hardcover, trade paperback and as an eBook from Simon & Schuster. The mysteries are set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin against a background of fishing – fly fishing as well as fishing for muskie, bass, bluegill and walleyes.
Houston’s mystery series was featured in a story on the front page of The Wall Street Journal (January 20, 2004) and on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation with Neal Conan” (February 2, 2006). Both can be seen/heard on the website: www.victoriahouston.com.

She has also written or co-authored over seven non-fiction books. An award-winning author specializing in family issues, Houston’s non-fiction books include the highly recommended ALONE AFTER SCHOOL: A Self-Care Guide for Latchkey Children and Their Parents (Prentice Hall, 1985); the national bestseller, LOVING A YOUNGER MAN: How Women Are Finding and Enjoying a Better Relationship (Contemporary Books (1987); Pocket Books (1988); MAKING IT WORK: Finding the Time and Energy For Your Career, Marriage, Children and Self (Contemporary Books, 1990) -- which was published by Simon & Schuster's Fireside imprint in August 1991 as a trade paperback titled MAKING IT WORK: Creative Solutions For Balancing Your Career, Marriage, Children And Personal Life. Houston co-authored RESTORE YOURSELF: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Libido and Passion for Life (The Berkley Publishing Group/2001) with Dr. James Simon, a Past President of the North American Menopause Society.

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book by Houston that I have read. A mild murder mystery set in Wisconsin, this book has likeable characters but no real action of any kind. Murders are committed and the lady police chief and her sidekicks talk, talk, and talk again to the suspects. Extremely mild, not exciting at all.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fish are never safe in the waters around loon Lake but in Dead Hot Shot by Victoria Houston credit cards are also in danger. Someone is stealing the information and a lot of money. This soon leads to murder and mayhem. With a little fishing thrown in.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice thanksgiving mystery.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to spending time with Doc, Lew & Ray on my "visits" to Loon Lake. The only problem is, I think I'm working my way through this series too quickly.

Kindle Unlimited, read & listen

[sarg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished "Dead Hot Shot" by Victoria Houston
Gave it 3 1/2 stars
This is a "Murder she Wrote ", kind of Murder mystery . The main character is a female police chief Named Lewellen in a small Minnesota resort town. Her sidekick is a retired dentist Named Osborne. A quick easy read with a simple plot, greed,jealousy ,murder.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is my introduction to this author, I discovered this is the ninth book in a series about Loon Lake in Wisconsin. I liked the maturity of the characters, the twists of the plot and the author's appreciation of a part of the country I know little about.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A murder mystery set in Loon Lake, Wisconsin. Although #9 in the series this is the first one I've read. It is a very quick read with enjoyable characters, action and snappy dialogue. After all the 'heavy' novels, I was so ready for something light and this fit the bill.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for my book club. It is a quick read, but very simplistic...not much suspence or intrigue.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

not very compelling. nice that it takes place in northern wisconsin. ok story

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am loving Houston's novels this summer. They make me feel like I'm home in northern Wisconsin even though I am not there this summer. A great escape and well written mystery!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally addicted to Victoria Houston books. All the characters are like old friends. Going to head to Loon Lake this summer!!!!!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok mystery. Had it figured out halfway through and since it didn't have many twists to the plot it got a bit boring toward the end.

[Mike Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

2016 Book #72/35: Yet another enjoyable journey in Loon Lake. I do wish she'd break away from the formula every once in a while, but they're still fun.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are fun books with familiar characters.

[Gretchen Mattingly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series got off to a great start - the characters were likeable, the settings were enjoyable, the circumstances were believable. But as I read more and more of the series, little things started bugging me - time had passed, but characters didn't age... tiny stuff like that - It was almost as if Victoria Houston had contracted other writers to keep the stories going, and they didn't do their homework... or follow the style book... As I was reading these recovering from an illness, I was reading them one right after the other, so those inconsistencies would be more apparent....just my two cents.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was checking this book out for two reasons, one the author is from Wisconsin and she bases much of her book story around places in Wisconsin. EX: The Wausau Crime Lab or going to Rhinelander or having a Leinenkugel's. The second reason is I'm trying to find more books that may interest boys. The book I read had mystery, Wisconsin, and fishing and hunting. I'm excited to read more of her books.

[Kathleen Olkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice light read set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
Haven’t read one of her books in a while but was easily drawn back into the charm of her like able protagonists and their daily tasks. This is ninth book in a series but you can easily pick up anyof her books and not be lost. Each is a unique story but same characters solving the murder mystery.

[Baglady · Rating 3 out of 5]

adopted native sisters, opposite personalities, one favored by a rich heiress who sets up the girl with comforts and a promise of inheritance; heiress and adoptive mom both dead - find the connection!

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book (252 pages), with a full well rounded story. Wonderful characters, and great location.

[Sandy Block · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Cozy mystery “ in northern Wisconsin. Not difficult reading but enjoyable. Fun distraction.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loon Lake Mystery series is my favorite. Each book is a 5 star read.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun little murder mystery with the Loon Lake characters. It all seems so familiar, set in Wisconsin, except for the bizarre murders. ha ha

[Barb Piacentino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very light read. No real suspense. Like the Northwoods setting because it reminded me of home.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

another good loon lake mystery

First one I have read in quite awhile. Good story and great characters. Will read the next one very soon.

[Kathy Schouten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in this series

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

another interesting case solved...

[Brandi Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started and couldn’t stop reading. It was a nice easy read and a holiday mystery that kept me interested.

[Lynn Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always fun reading a book written by a Wisconsinite as you can relate to places you know - Wausau, Rhinelander, and Eagle River. Good story line and plot.

[Suzanna Grassi · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’ve read better 😛