The Siskiyou Two-Step

John Denson Mystery #3

by Richard Hoyt

A tongue-in-cheek, irreverent detective novel- the third in the John Denson series. Another zany romp through a classic genre. "Richard Hoyt is John Le Carre' with the giggles." ~Minneapolis Star & Tribune

Genres: Mystery, Action, Crime

215 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

The author of 27 mysteries and thrillers, I’m a former army counterintelligence agent, newspaper reporter, Newsweek writer and college professor with a PhD. in American studies. The New York Times included four of my titles on its annual notable books list. My novels include 10 John Denson Pacific Northwest mysteries and 10 James Burlane international thrillers. My John Denson mystery 30 for a Harry was nominated for a Shamus by the Private Eye Writers of America and Siege won the American Mystery Award for best espionage novel. The French publisher Gallimard published Trotsky’s Run as a Serie Noir best-of-the best title. I’ve been widely published in British commonwealth countries, France, Holland, Belgium, Finland, Japan and Germany.

Reviews

[Feliks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Hoyt is a wonderful and fun mystery/thriller author for anyone to start exploring. You can pick up any of his works and find it well done; he is one of those old-school authors (pre-internet) who never stumbles or falters. An effortless confidence marks his style.

His mysteries are always set in unique outdoor environments; for example the Pacific Northwest or Alberta Territory; places like that. The Caribbean. Really evocative and memorable; and the setting/culture of these locales plays strong part in the mystery itself.

His protagonists are quirky, outlandish, verve-ful and well-drawn; smart-talking; brutally tough; diverse; clever; witty, taut; seasoned intriguers who surprise at every turn.

In the course of any Hoyt story you will also encounter really insidious, devious, cruel, tricky, seamy, smarmy, snarky villains to match.

These are non-traditional mysteries; really almost a brand of comical/touch lit-fic with a mystery element tossed in. The books are slick and hip and inventive and funny.

Bottom line: Hoyt delivers every time. A name more people oughta be aware of.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wacky, fun and a good twisty story with lots of very interesting characters!
Light reading, for sure...

[Dav · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Siskiyou Two-Step • by Richard Hoyt (John Denson Mystery Series, book #3)


Summary - "John Denson, private investigator, goes to Oregon's North Umpqua River to fish trout but, instead finds himself caught up in a net of international intelligence agents and academics. It all starts when the naked body of a girl with a bullet hole between her eyes goes rushing past Denson in the rapids. He embarks on a search to find the girl's identity and bring her killer to justice. Strange clues lead to three more corpses, bringing the body-count to four and only the Siskiyou Two-Step saves Denson from being the fifth."

The body is thought to be that of Kathryn Marsden, however Kat is suppose to have a unique backside birthmark. The story concerns a controversial manuscript and it's contested authorship. In search of the birthmarked Kat, Denson heads to California, being tailed by foreign agents trying to follow covertly and failing.

One of those masquerading as Kat and flashing her birthmark tattoo is a stripper. The real Kat doesn't pretend ignorance about her birthmark. Having located the manuscript and keeping himself alive, Denson employs his Siskiyou Shuffle aboard a train near the Siskiyou mountains.

It's mostly an okay mystery with memorable as well as racy and ridiculous moments. When he spots the body in the water he wades out and is caught in the current and ends up riding the rapids while lying atop the naked, dead female. The story also suffers from some government agent nonsense.




John Denson Series
1 Decoys 1980
2 For a Harry 1981
● 3 The Siskiyou Two-Step 1983
4 Fish Story 1985
5 Whoo? 1991
6 Bigfoot 1993
7 Snake Eyes 1995
8 The Weatherman's Daughters 2003
9 Pony Girls 2004

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 in the John Denson series.

John Denson series - John Denson, private investigator, goes to Oregon's North Umpqua River to fish trout but, instead finds himself caught up in a net of international intelligence agents and academics. It all starts when the naked body of a girl with a bullet hole between her eyes goes rushing past Denson in the rapids. He embarks on a search to find the girl's identity and bring her killer to justice. Strange clues lead to three more corpses, bringing the body-count to four and only the Siskiyou Two-Step saves Denson from being the fifth.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often you find a murder book that's funny, but this one is, and the Author has a wonderful way of writing, its so easy to read; A serious subject, yet with the quirkiness that only life can bring, and at the same time have you glued to the pages, I really enjoyed this book, and although being British,I could follow the story set in America easily, it is well worth reading, and has a brilliant lead character, I shall certainly look for this Author again.

[Pepper McColgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny, enjoyed the setting, creative

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick murder mystery set in norcal.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a good story, I liked the ending too, kept me interested until the last word.

[wayne carmack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Kept my attention was a little over detailed in places but a nice story. Loved the ending was really happy

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this. sort of eighties Philip Marlow

[Grant Aagard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read with mostly interesting characters. The opening is definitely one of a kind.

[Mary Schildman]

Cold

The cold twists and turns of the mystery are just like the river, predicable and unpredictable. Interesting characters. Looking forward to next in series