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Starvation Lake Mystery #3
The Skeleton Box
A series of mysterious break-ins is plaguing the small town of Starvation Lake. Someone is slipping into the homes of elderly people when they're out playing Bingo. Oddly, the intruders take nothing, despite evidence that they rifle through personal files. Worry turns to panic when a break-in leads to the death of a beloved citizen. Phyllis Bontrager is found dead in the home of her best friend, Bea Carpenter, mother of Gus Carpenter. Bea, suffering from worsening dementia and under the influence of sleeping pills, remembers little of the break-in. Her son, editor of the local newspaper, must pursue a terrible story: the death of a woman he has known all his life, who also happens to be the mother of his ex-girlfriend, Darlene. With the help of Luke Whistler, an ex-Detroit Free Press reporter who came north looking for slower days and some old-fashioned newspaper work, Gus sets out to uncover the truth behind Mrs. B's death and the “Bingo Night Break-Ins.” What he doesn't know is that Whistler has his own agenda, and the secrets he’s determined to unearth—involving the long-ago killing of a nun—could forever change Gus’s perceptions about Starvation Lake and even his own family.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 5, 2012
44 people are currently reading
735 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Gruley
14 books355 followersBryan Gruley's sixth novel, BITTERFROST, tells the story of Jimmy Baker, a former minor league hockey player who quit the game after almost killing an opponent in a fight. Thirteen years later, he's the Zamboni driver for an amateur team in his hometown of Bitterfrost in northern lower Michigan--and the prime suspect in a brutal double murder. Meg Gardiner, #1 New York Times bestselling author, “Visceral, vivid, and suspenseful, Bitterfrost immerses readers in a chilly—and chilling—world of lost dreams and deadly feuds. I was instantly and completely engrossed. Masterfully done.”
Gruley is also the author of the Starvation Lake trilogy, including his Edgar-nominated debut, STARVATION LAKE, as well as two novels set in Bleake Harbor, Michigan. A lifelong journalist, he shared in The Wall Street Journal's Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He lives in northern Michigan with his wife, Pam.
Gruley is also the author of the Starvation Lake trilogy, including his Edgar-nominated debut, STARVATION LAKE, as well as two novels set in Bleake Harbor, Michigan. A lifelong journalist, he shared in The Wall Street Journal's Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He lives in northern Michigan with his wife, Pam.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
July 17, 2013
This is the third novel in Brian Gruley's Starvation Lake trilogy, following Starvation Lake and The Hanging Tree. The main protagonist is Gus Carpenter who was once a hot-shot reporter in Detroit, but who has now returned home to tiny Starvation Lake in northern Michigan to edit the town's twice-weekly newspaper.
Gus, like the paper, has seen better days. As a youth he was a major hockey star--a goalie who led the local team to the state championship game only to lose the game when he allowed the winning goal in a moment of inattention. Gus has never forgotten it; he's really never gotten over it, and there are any number of townspeople who won't let the memory die either. The championship game was Starvation Lake's moment in the sun and the team, and the town, fell one goal short of greatness.
The town, like Gus and its newspaper, has fallen on hard times. The local economy is in the dumpster and efforts to revive the town as a tourist destination have fallen woefully short. If that weren't bad enough, the town is now under threat from the "Bingo Night Burglar" who is breaking into homes while the occupants are away playing bingo. Oddly, the burglar doesn't ever seem to steal anything, but naturally the town's residents are nervous and more than a little angry with the local sheriff who seems incapable of bringing this crime spree to an end.
At the same time, a group of fundamentalist Christians have moved into town and are excavating land that they have recently purchased for reasons that no one can figure out. In addition, some mysterious purchaser is suddenly buying up land at the north end of the lake for which the town is named, hiding behind the cover of a law firm.
Things take a nasty turn when someone, presumably the Bingo Night Burglar, kills an elderly woman who was the best friend of Gus Carpenter's mother and who was also the mother of Gus's ex-girlfriend, Darlene. Gus's mother, Bea, was in the house at the time of the killing, but she is suffering from advancing dementia and doesn't remember much about what happened that night.
Gus puts on his investigative reporter's hat and attempts to sort out the multiple mysteries that are plaguing Starvation Lake, with the assistance of his new ace reporter, Luke Whistler. Before long, he's up to his neck in mysterious developments both ancient and current, and before things are settled out, some of these mysteries will hit way too close to home.
This is another very engaging book from a very good writer. Gruley is best at setting the scene and describing the nature of life in this small struggling town. He's also very good at developing the characters who populate Starvation Lake. If I have any complaint about the book, it would be that the plot seems unneccessarily convoluted and left me shaking my head a bit by the time I got to the climax. For that reason, I'd probably rate this book a 3.5 or a 3.75 if I had the chance, but not having the opportunity, I'm rounding it up to a 4 because of its obvious strengths.
Gus, like the paper, has seen better days. As a youth he was a major hockey star--a goalie who led the local team to the state championship game only to lose the game when he allowed the winning goal in a moment of inattention. Gus has never forgotten it; he's really never gotten over it, and there are any number of townspeople who won't let the memory die either. The championship game was Starvation Lake's moment in the sun and the team, and the town, fell one goal short of greatness.
The town, like Gus and its newspaper, has fallen on hard times. The local economy is in the dumpster and efforts to revive the town as a tourist destination have fallen woefully short. If that weren't bad enough, the town is now under threat from the "Bingo Night Burglar" who is breaking into homes while the occupants are away playing bingo. Oddly, the burglar doesn't ever seem to steal anything, but naturally the town's residents are nervous and more than a little angry with the local sheriff who seems incapable of bringing this crime spree to an end.
At the same time, a group of fundamentalist Christians have moved into town and are excavating land that they have recently purchased for reasons that no one can figure out. In addition, some mysterious purchaser is suddenly buying up land at the north end of the lake for which the town is named, hiding behind the cover of a law firm.
Things take a nasty turn when someone, presumably the Bingo Night Burglar, kills an elderly woman who was the best friend of Gus Carpenter's mother and who was also the mother of Gus's ex-girlfriend, Darlene. Gus's mother, Bea, was in the house at the time of the killing, but she is suffering from advancing dementia and doesn't remember much about what happened that night.
Gus puts on his investigative reporter's hat and attempts to sort out the multiple mysteries that are plaguing Starvation Lake, with the assistance of his new ace reporter, Luke Whistler. Before long, he's up to his neck in mysterious developments both ancient and current, and before things are settled out, some of these mysteries will hit way too close to home.
This is another very engaging book from a very good writer. Gruley is best at setting the scene and describing the nature of life in this small struggling town. He's also very good at developing the characters who populate Starvation Lake. If I have any complaint about the book, it would be that the plot seems unneccessarily convoluted and left me shaking my head a bit by the time I got to the climax. For that reason, I'd probably rate this book a 3.5 or a 3.75 if I had the chance, but not having the opportunity, I'm rounding it up to a 4 because of its obvious strengths.
January 11, 2018
I've now read all three books in this trilogy set in Michigan.
I enjoyed following Gus Carpenter the editor of the Pine County Pilot.
Too bad the author doesn't plan to write any more books in this series.
I enjoyed following Gus Carpenter the editor of the Pine County Pilot.
Too bad the author doesn't plan to write any more books in this series.
August 17, 2012
In a quiet town called starvation lake there are no murderers. Well that is what they thought. A series of burglaries during bingo nights started occurring in Starvation lake. They were attended mostly by the elder folk of the community, one turns ugly with a murder.
Past murders become revisited with question marks on the guilty.
Secrets that others want buried come to the surface and up in the communities faces.
One old soul believes the truth will not set you free.
Suspects some laughable and have nothing to do with burglaries or murder are brought in. With a community who has not dealt with murderer recently you only hope Starvation lake learns from this crime and secret.
Some people of the town tried to forget the break in that had left one of their own dead. They would channel their fear and confusion into cheering for the boys taking their first step toward the towns first state title.
I enjoyed this little town mystery. You find yourself really involved in the search for truth.
The story wraps up quite neatly with a great scene of unveiling of truths and closure of the mystery in Starvation Lake and what lies in a box others prefer lost forever.
I have been meaning to read this authors debut novel 'Starvation Lake' for quite a while but never got to doing it, i hope to this year some time.
Review also @ http://more2read.com/review/the-skeleton-box-a-starvation-lake-mystery-bryan-gruley/
Past murders become revisited with question marks on the guilty.
Secrets that others want buried come to the surface and up in the communities faces.
One old soul believes the truth will not set you free.
Suspects some laughable and have nothing to do with burglaries or murder are brought in. With a community who has not dealt with murderer recently you only hope Starvation lake learns from this crime and secret.
Some people of the town tried to forget the break in that had left one of their own dead. They would channel their fear and confusion into cheering for the boys taking their first step toward the towns first state title.
I enjoyed this little town mystery. You find yourself really involved in the search for truth.
The story wraps up quite neatly with a great scene of unveiling of truths and closure of the mystery in Starvation Lake and what lies in a box others prefer lost forever.
I have been meaning to read this authors debut novel 'Starvation Lake' for quite a while but never got to doing it, i hope to this year some time.
Review also @ http://more2read.com/review/the-skeleton-box-a-starvation-lake-mystery-bryan-gruley/
March 20, 2017
I'm sad to see the Starvation Lake series go but it was good run. This one had a pretty good mystery compared to the last one. A lot of this story rings true. The character writing was solid as always except for Darlene who is terrible but is supposed to be some great love of Gus's life or something. Can't figure that one out. She has an excuse every book for her wretchedness but still annoying character. The worlds of journalism and hockey are again interesting aspects of Gus's life and investigation in his dealings with the town. There's never a good moment that isn't spoiled by two more things going wrong which is more realistic than I'd like to admit.
January 9, 2023
The Skeleton Box is the third, final and my least favorite in the Starvation Lake Trilogy.
Salvation comes to Starvation Lake with questionable acts of a priest and a missing nun. The increasingly unreliable memory of Bea Carpenter is an interesting story tool. The changing newspaper business adapting from print to online is also a perspective uniquely offered by the author.
Salvation comes to Starvation Lake with questionable acts of a priest and a missing nun. The increasingly unreliable memory of Bea Carpenter is an interesting story tool. The changing newspaper business adapting from print to online is also a perspective uniquely offered by the author.
May 9, 2012
The Skeleton Box: A Starvation Lake Mystery is the third book in the series and opens in March 2000 with somebody breaking into houses in Starvation Lake on bingo nights. Despite the break-ins, the victims report that nothing has been taken. The motive as well as the identity or identities of those involved remain a mystery. Pine County Sheriff Dingus has no suspects and the town is on edge.
Then, apparently in the course of a break-in, a murder happens and for Gus his life will change forever. The murder happened at his mother’s house and the victim was Phyllis Bontrager. Childhood best friend of his mother and a woman who was almost as much a mother to Gus growing up as his own. In the course of the investigation into the murder Gus learns things he just might have been better off never knowing.
This third novel from award winning author Bryan Gruley throws shock after shock at the reader all the way to the end. The author has referred to the three books as an “accidental trilogy” which reinforces the sense of a three book story arc being concluded here along with a possible finality to the series. One hopes not as the character of Gus has become a cherished friend to many readers.
Against a back drop of Gus being a reporter and editor of a small local paper and the decline of the newspaper business, across three powerful books Gus has had to deal with issues of an aging parent, pain and regret over the past and various actions, and having had to come back home to where it all began. Then there have been the crimes and mysteries that Gus has helped investigate in his role as reporter and editor of the local paper. None of that has really prepared him, or the reader for that matter, for the events in this book.
This is a very difficult book to sum up and explain the raw emotional power here in this work of fiction without giving up possible plot point spoilers. While it could be read as a stand-alone novel, the power of this book is more evident if you take the time to read the preceding novels, Starvation Lake: A Mystery and The Hanging Tree: A Starvation Lake Mystery. Clearly author Bryan Gruley has crafted another award winning novel and quite possibly his best book so far.
The Skeleton Box: A Starvation Lake Mystery
Bryan Gruley
http://www.bryangruley.com
Touchstone Books (Simon & Schuster)
http://imprints.simonandschuster.biz/...
June 2012
ISBN# 978-1-4165-6366-2
Hardback
336 Pages
$25.00
I received an ARC of this novel as a very much appreciated gift from a fellow reader.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2012
More reviews and news at http://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/
Then, apparently in the course of a break-in, a murder happens and for Gus his life will change forever. The murder happened at his mother’s house and the victim was Phyllis Bontrager. Childhood best friend of his mother and a woman who was almost as much a mother to Gus growing up as his own. In the course of the investigation into the murder Gus learns things he just might have been better off never knowing.
This third novel from award winning author Bryan Gruley throws shock after shock at the reader all the way to the end. The author has referred to the three books as an “accidental trilogy” which reinforces the sense of a three book story arc being concluded here along with a possible finality to the series. One hopes not as the character of Gus has become a cherished friend to many readers.
Against a back drop of Gus being a reporter and editor of a small local paper and the decline of the newspaper business, across three powerful books Gus has had to deal with issues of an aging parent, pain and regret over the past and various actions, and having had to come back home to where it all began. Then there have been the crimes and mysteries that Gus has helped investigate in his role as reporter and editor of the local paper. None of that has really prepared him, or the reader for that matter, for the events in this book.
This is a very difficult book to sum up and explain the raw emotional power here in this work of fiction without giving up possible plot point spoilers. While it could be read as a stand-alone novel, the power of this book is more evident if you take the time to read the preceding novels, Starvation Lake: A Mystery and The Hanging Tree: A Starvation Lake Mystery. Clearly author Bryan Gruley has crafted another award winning novel and quite possibly his best book so far.
The Skeleton Box: A Starvation Lake Mystery
Bryan Gruley
http://www.bryangruley.com
Touchstone Books (Simon & Schuster)
http://imprints.simonandschuster.biz/...
June 2012
ISBN# 978-1-4165-6366-2
Hardback
336 Pages
$25.00
I received an ARC of this novel as a very much appreciated gift from a fellow reader.
Kevin R. Tipple © 2012
More reviews and news at http://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/
June 27, 2012
Another highly enjoyable mystery in the Starvation Lake series from Gruley. The characters are well-developed and the writing, especially the dialogue, is always spot-on. The mystery takes a bit of time to develop and play itself out but the denouement is satisfying and, for fans of the series, a bit sad. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2012
In his third novel featuring local newspaper editor Gus Carpenter, Bryan Gruley returns to Starvation Lake, Michigan. A number of homes have been burglarized while their residents were out playing bingo, but strangely, nothing was taken from any of the houses. And then one night, a break-in at the home of Gus' mother, Bea, results in the murder of her closest friend, Phyllis, who also happens to be the mother of Gus' ex-girlfriend, deputy sheriff Darlene. Bea, whose dementia has been getting worse and worse, appears to know something about what happened, but she is unwilling to share the truth.
With the help of his new reporter, Luke Whistler, who left the Detroit Free Press to head north in search of more old-fashioned reporting, Gus tries to figure out who killed Phyllis. He wonders what connection Breck, the mysterious stranger who has taken up residence in the makeshift religious camp that has suddenly sprouted up on Gus' friend Tatch's land, has to the burglaries and the murder. And when his mother gives him a lockbox she has kept hidden for years, what he finds leads to more questions, more shocking discoveries, and a lot of potential pain.
I've really come to enjoy Bryan Gruley's Starvation Lake mysteries. Much like Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight series and others like it, I love the opportunity to get to know a town and its residents, as they factor in each book. The Skeleton Box is another well-written addition to the series, and it definitely kept me guessing. While it sounds as if Gruley planned this as a trilogy, and he certainly worked to tie up a few loose ends toward the end of the book, I really hope he reconsiders and takes us back to Starvation Lake again. Gus Carpenter is a terrific character and I'd hate not to read any more books featuring him again!
With the help of his new reporter, Luke Whistler, who left the Detroit Free Press to head north in search of more old-fashioned reporting, Gus tries to figure out who killed Phyllis. He wonders what connection Breck, the mysterious stranger who has taken up residence in the makeshift religious camp that has suddenly sprouted up on Gus' friend Tatch's land, has to the burglaries and the murder. And when his mother gives him a lockbox she has kept hidden for years, what he finds leads to more questions, more shocking discoveries, and a lot of potential pain.
I've really come to enjoy Bryan Gruley's Starvation Lake mysteries. Much like Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight series and others like it, I love the opportunity to get to know a town and its residents, as they factor in each book. The Skeleton Box is another well-written addition to the series, and it definitely kept me guessing. While it sounds as if Gruley planned this as a trilogy, and he certainly worked to tie up a few loose ends toward the end of the book, I really hope he reconsiders and takes us back to Starvation Lake again. Gus Carpenter is a terrific character and I'd hate not to read any more books featuring him again!
June 17, 2012
Gus Carpenter is the Jessica Fletcher of Starvation Lake. He moves back home after a failed journalism career in Detroit, and this sleepy northern Michigan town is suddenly a hotbed of crime and murder.
A big part of what I enjoyed about this book is that it reminds me of home. Northern Michigan isn't quite the same as northern Minnesota, but small-town life in the upper Midwest is fairly consistent no matter what state you're in, and I loved the little details and characters that made me homesick.
I think my biggest problem with this book is related to the Jessica Fletcher-effect, though. If it were a stand-alone novel, I probably would've enjoyed it more. Yes, the plot builds on the previous two books in the series, but not so much that it really matters, and the suspension of disbelief that it takes to accept all that's gone down in this little town in just a few years is a bit much for me.
I love Gruley's style, though. His books are very readable, well-paced, and his characters are realistic. I'm hoping he'll branch out (more like Laura Lippman's stand-alone books, where they all feel a bit similar, but have different characters) and write some new stuff, but that he'll leave Gus and Darlene in peace up in Starvation Lake. They deserve a break after all they've been through.
A big part of what I enjoyed about this book is that it reminds me of home. Northern Michigan isn't quite the same as northern Minnesota, but small-town life in the upper Midwest is fairly consistent no matter what state you're in, and I loved the little details and characters that made me homesick.
I think my biggest problem with this book is related to the Jessica Fletcher-effect, though. If it were a stand-alone novel, I probably would've enjoyed it more. Yes, the plot builds on the previous two books in the series, but not so much that it really matters, and the suspension of disbelief that it takes to accept all that's gone down in this little town in just a few years is a bit much for me.
I love Gruley's style, though. His books are very readable, well-paced, and his characters are realistic. I'm hoping he'll branch out (more like Laura Lippman's stand-alone books, where they all feel a bit similar, but have different characters) and write some new stuff, but that he'll leave Gus and Darlene in peace up in Starvation Lake. They deserve a break after all they've been through.
June 9, 2012
Starvation Lake is a small community in upper Michigan. Someone has been breaking into the homes of some elderly residents while they were at Monday night bingo. Nothing seemed to have been taken but it made people nervous.
Then, Gus Carpenter, editor of the "Pilot" is asked to accompany a police officer to Gus's mother's home. Her home had been broken into and her friend and next door neighbor, who was there taking care of her, was killed.
The only clue is the name of a former priest who had been at the local parish when a young nun disappeared in 1944. After this comes out, media and some officials wonder if the Catholic Church had anything to do with the murder and break-ins.
Much of the novel's enjoyment comes from Gus Carpenter's narrative voice. There is also good dialog and it is easy for the reader to imagine that they are right there in many scenes of the story.
Beneath the central story is the story of the town heading toward a possible state hockey championship and one of the players becomes a pawn of a religious group.
This is a well written, smoothly plotted mystery novel with good characterizatin and an interesting plot.
Then, Gus Carpenter, editor of the "Pilot" is asked to accompany a police officer to Gus's mother's home. Her home had been broken into and her friend and next door neighbor, who was there taking care of her, was killed.
The only clue is the name of a former priest who had been at the local parish when a young nun disappeared in 1944. After this comes out, media and some officials wonder if the Catholic Church had anything to do with the murder and break-ins.
Much of the novel's enjoyment comes from Gus Carpenter's narrative voice. There is also good dialog and it is easy for the reader to imagine that they are right there in many scenes of the story.
Beneath the central story is the story of the town heading toward a possible state hockey championship and one of the players becomes a pawn of a religious group.
This is a well written, smoothly plotted mystery novel with good characterizatin and an interesting plot.
June 13, 2012
Third and ostensibly final book in the "Starvation Lake series". In this one Gus investigates and solves the murder of his long time girlfriend's mother and solves a perplexing cold case murder as well. The story is based on the murder and cover-up of a nun that occurred in a church in the early 1900s at the then town of Isadore, Michigan, about twenty miles Northeast of Traverse City in Leelanau County. I myself live about four miles from there. The church is still active but the town has long ago faded into obscurity. There was a movie based on the Isadore story starring Dick VanDyke in 1985. However they changed the venue to a church in a different state.
Gruley is able to restrain his passion for hockey in this book and doesn't focus so much on the exploits of the "River Rats"
Gruley is able to restrain his passion for hockey in this book and doesn't focus so much on the exploits of the "River Rats"
December 5, 2016
Another excellent book in the Starvation Lake series. I thought the author captured the small economically depressed town feel in the three books really well and the characters always seemed so realistic. The plot in this entry was my favorite secrets of the past type and kept me totally engrossed. I do hope he will publish another work soon.
November 15, 2019
The final entry in the Starvation Lake series is a good one.
Gus Carpenter is still playing hockey goalie and editing his small, hometown newspaper.
He has hired an older reporter, like him a refugee from the larger Detroit newspapers. The town's two big stories: the local high school hockey team is again making a run at the state championship and someone is breaking into the homes of elderly people when they go to play bingo.
Gus is a good, credible character and one of my favorite reporters. The mystery here is a good one, with roots dating back to 1950.
I would like to read more about Gus but this one ties it up nicely.
Gus Carpenter is still playing hockey goalie and editing his small, hometown newspaper.
He has hired an older reporter, like him a refugee from the larger Detroit newspapers. The town's two big stories: the local high school hockey team is again making a run at the state championship and someone is breaking into the homes of elderly people when they go to play bingo.
Gus is a good, credible character and one of my favorite reporters. The mystery here is a good one, with roots dating back to 1950.
I would like to read more about Gus but this one ties it up nicely.
July 17, 2012
Bryan Gruley is another new to me author. The Skeleton Box is the third book in Gruley's Starvation Lake series.
Starvation Lake is a quiet, small town in Michigan where nothing dangerous really ever happens, but a recent series of break-ins has the town worried. The break-ins are occurring on bingo nights - when most of the town's elderly residents are out. Nothing is ever taken, but their belonging are being rifled through. The pressure is on for the sheriff to solve these cases - it's a re-election year. And the stakes are upped when a break-in turns to murder.
Gus Carpenter, editor of the local paper is covering the biggest story of his career. The victim is someone near and dear to him. And as he digs deeper into the story, he finds it taking him places he never expected - and much closer to home than he could have imagined.
Gus is Gruley's recurring protagonist. I really liked Gus - he just came across as real, down to earth and believable. He's dealing with job stress/cutbacks, an elderly mother with the beginnings of dementia and an on again off again relationship - with a local deputy. He's not painted as an infallible, intrepid reporter, but just a regular guy.
The mystery in The Skeleton Box is timely and features a good solid plot. But for me, it was the town of Starvation Lake and its' residents that took centre stage. Characterization is Gruley's strong point. I loved all the colourful citizens. My only problem was that everyone has a nickname as well. I had a wee bit of trouble keeping everyone straight.(Take note - Bryan Gruley's nickname is Grules!) Gruley has painted a vivid, accurate portrait of the town. The River Rats hockey team, their players and the town's support is so spot on I thought Gruley was writing about my small town. ( Go Irish!) The various hockey analogies used were quite effective.
Even though I have missed the first two in the series, I was able to enjoy this book as a stand alone. (But it would be definitely worth looking up the first two) Folksy is a term that popped to mind when I was trying to think of how to describe Gruley's writing.
Starvation Lake is a quiet, small town in Michigan where nothing dangerous really ever happens, but a recent series of break-ins has the town worried. The break-ins are occurring on bingo nights - when most of the town's elderly residents are out. Nothing is ever taken, but their belonging are being rifled through. The pressure is on for the sheriff to solve these cases - it's a re-election year. And the stakes are upped when a break-in turns to murder.
Gus Carpenter, editor of the local paper is covering the biggest story of his career. The victim is someone near and dear to him. And as he digs deeper into the story, he finds it taking him places he never expected - and much closer to home than he could have imagined.
Gus is Gruley's recurring protagonist. I really liked Gus - he just came across as real, down to earth and believable. He's dealing with job stress/cutbacks, an elderly mother with the beginnings of dementia and an on again off again relationship - with a local deputy. He's not painted as an infallible, intrepid reporter, but just a regular guy.
The mystery in The Skeleton Box is timely and features a good solid plot. But for me, it was the town of Starvation Lake and its' residents that took centre stage. Characterization is Gruley's strong point. I loved all the colourful citizens. My only problem was that everyone has a nickname as well. I had a wee bit of trouble keeping everyone straight.(Take note - Bryan Gruley's nickname is Grules!) Gruley has painted a vivid, accurate portrait of the town. The River Rats hockey team, their players and the town's support is so spot on I thought Gruley was writing about my small town. ( Go Irish!) The various hockey analogies used were quite effective.
Even though I have missed the first two in the series, I was able to enjoy this book as a stand alone. (But it would be definitely worth looking up the first two) Folksy is a term that popped to mind when I was trying to think of how to describe Gruley's writing.
July 2, 2012
The third and latest in a very good series set in tiny Starvation Lake, a town in northern Michigan. The editor of the local newspaper tells this story of corruption, local history, and sudden death. The characters are solid and real, the plotting careful, and the dialogue believable. I may be wrong, but I think it's accurate to say that as the editor/reporter tries to track down the truth about a death in his elderly mother's house, every single character lies to him at some point, including the obviously bad city slickers from downstate, the police, his newspaper colleagues, his oldest friend, his on-again off-again girlfriend now on the police force, and even his own mother. He must try to separate truth from falsehood and understand the motivations for every lie. An extremely complicated plot with a large cast, but Gruley does a wonderful job of keeping it all clear and suspenseful.
February 10, 2020
A solid read, made immeasurably more pleasurable due to the fact it's set in a fictional town nearby in northern Michigan, and cribs from a famous murder case, the death of a nun, that happened a couple of miles from my home.
Bryan Gruley's writing occasionally reminds me of James Lee Burke's: the crusty characters, the place-based framework for the story, his own dispassionate re-telling of some fairly horrific facts. The "dying newspaper" subplot rang totally true, as did the greasy hide-the-evidence story about how the Catholic church decides that old crimes belong to God, not to law enforcement.
Even though arcs in the trilogy of Gruley's novels (taking the job at a dying newspaper, Gus's relationship with Darlene)seem resolved, I liked the book well enough to go back and see what came before.
Bryan Gruley's writing occasionally reminds me of James Lee Burke's: the crusty characters, the place-based framework for the story, his own dispassionate re-telling of some fairly horrific facts. The "dying newspaper" subplot rang totally true, as did the greasy hide-the-evidence story about how the Catholic church decides that old crimes belong to God, not to law enforcement.
Even though arcs in the trilogy of Gruley's novels (taking the job at a dying newspaper, Gus's relationship with Darlene)seem resolved, I liked the book well enough to go back and see what came before.
July 30, 2012
What a delightful book! I am already attached to the characters from Bryan's first two books...so this is a sweet homecoming. That said, I find Bryan's writing engaging as he manages to sidestep the formulaic approach that traps some authors with sequels. The story line pulled me in, took me along on twists and turns and happily landed me at the end wanting more.
I've already written friends recommending this book and it has been added to my gift giving list!
Again, the standards of hockey, mystery, the cast of characters and Northern Michigan provide a common backdrop but the story is original!
I've already written friends recommending this book and it has been added to my gift giving list!
Again, the standards of hockey, mystery, the cast of characters and Northern Michigan provide a common backdrop but the story is original!
December 6, 2012
Rather than recap the book, I am just going to tell my feelings about all three of the Starvation Lake mysteries. I found the characters realistic and very relatable. I loved all three mysteries and hope there is another book in the near future. I have never seen a hockey game in my life but felt swept up in the action every time one was described in the novel. Well done....keep writing Bryan Gruley!
January 22, 2016
Enjoyed this book, at least partially for the familiarity of the Northern Michigan surroundings! There is even a mention of the Hideaway Bar! The underlying story of the mysterious disappearance of a nun is inspired by the true story of Sister Mary Janice in 1907 in Isadore, Michigan-see Mardi Link's excellent book Isadore's Secret. This book is a complex tale with twists and turns that include hockey, a cult of born again Christians and long ago female friends.
July 17, 2012
Each of these three books is fantastic. I can't recommend them enough, although I'd recommend waiting to start each one until you've got little else to do with your time, because they're impossible to put down. Can't wait for Gruley's next one.
July 3, 2017
The Skeleton Box by Brian Gruley
Starvation Lake Series Book #3
3★'s
What's It About?
Mysterious break-ins are plaguing the small town of Starvation Lake. While elderly residents enjoy their weekly bingo night at St. Valentine’s Catholic Church, someone is slipping into their homes to rifle through financial and personal files. Oddly, the intruder takes nothing—yet the “Bingo Night Burglaries” leave the entire town uneasy.
Worry turns into panic when a break-in escalates to murder. Suddenly, Gus Carpenter, editor of the Pine County Pilot, is forced to investigate the most difficult story of his life. Not only is the victim his ex-girlfriend Darlene’s mother, but her body was found in the home of Bea Carpenter—Gus’s own mother. Suffering from worsening dementia and under the influence of sleeping pills, Bea remembers little of the break-in.
With the help of Luke Whistler, a former Detroit Free Press reporter who came north looking for slower days and some old-fashioned newspaper work, Gus sets out to uncover the truth behind the murder.
What Did I Think?
One reason for the 3 star rating is that this is not an edge-of-your-seat thriller. I have to admit that it is suspenseful...it's a good detective story filled with local color and interesting characters.... but it is simply too easy going. It will diffidently appeal to those that like something a little more than a cozy mystery but not so much on the gritty side.
Starvation Lake Series Book #3
3★'s
What's It About?
Mysterious break-ins are plaguing the small town of Starvation Lake. While elderly residents enjoy their weekly bingo night at St. Valentine’s Catholic Church, someone is slipping into their homes to rifle through financial and personal files. Oddly, the intruder takes nothing—yet the “Bingo Night Burglaries” leave the entire town uneasy.
Worry turns into panic when a break-in escalates to murder. Suddenly, Gus Carpenter, editor of the Pine County Pilot, is forced to investigate the most difficult story of his life. Not only is the victim his ex-girlfriend Darlene’s mother, but her body was found in the home of Bea Carpenter—Gus’s own mother. Suffering from worsening dementia and under the influence of sleeping pills, Bea remembers little of the break-in.
With the help of Luke Whistler, a former Detroit Free Press reporter who came north looking for slower days and some old-fashioned newspaper work, Gus sets out to uncover the truth behind the murder.
What Did I Think?
One reason for the 3 star rating is that this is not an edge-of-your-seat thriller. I have to admit that it is suspenseful...it's a good detective story filled with local color and interesting characters.... but it is simply too easy going. It will diffidently appeal to those that like something a little more than a cozy mystery but not so much on the gritty side.
December 10, 2020
Third entry in the Starvation Lake trilogy as narrated by Gus Carpenter, reporter of The Pilot, a local paper on its last legs trying to solve a series of local break-and-enters and murders. Gus suffers through a complicated relationship with the county sheriff and Darlene, the sheriff's deputy and on again-off again love interest. The multi-layered story involves town politics, a quirky judge, media power struggles, church secrets & nostalgia involving many of the characters.
Gus and his buddies enjoy a good game of hockey, the fast-paced, edgy sport which serves as a constant character throughout the trilogy (though slightly less so in this novel compared to the earlier ones). Most of the on-ice action in The Skeleton Box involves the local youth team which is vying for its first state title in almost 20 years since Gus & his teammates fell short. The torch is passed in this respect & in many others where loose ends are tied up from the earlier entries Starvation Lake and The Hanging Tree.
Each of the three volumes in this series can stand on their own but I'd highly recommend the triple read to follow Gus, his gf Darlene, mom Bea, best friend Soupy and the other goings-on of small town Michigan. I look forward to diving into Gruley's next round of novels - top drawer suspense writing!
Gus and his buddies enjoy a good game of hockey, the fast-paced, edgy sport which serves as a constant character throughout the trilogy (though slightly less so in this novel compared to the earlier ones). Most of the on-ice action in The Skeleton Box involves the local youth team which is vying for its first state title in almost 20 years since Gus & his teammates fell short. The torch is passed in this respect & in many others where loose ends are tied up from the earlier entries Starvation Lake and The Hanging Tree.
Each of the three volumes in this series can stand on their own but I'd highly recommend the triple read to follow Gus, his gf Darlene, mom Bea, best friend Soupy and the other goings-on of small town Michigan. I look forward to diving into Gruley's next round of novels - top drawer suspense writing!
July 3, 2018
I read Starvation Lake years ago and enjoyed being re-introduced to Gus Carpenter and the people of this rural Michigan community. Gus is a savvy reporter and is involved in reporting on the latest break ins in the community. One such break-in results in the death of his mother's best friend at her home. The story covers a lot about the community's past and the Catholic church in the area and the story of a missing nun. Of course hockey is every present with the beloved River Rats in a fight to get to the state finals!
May 21, 2021
Gave up and DNF this book. After page 224 and more bad actors added to the plot, my tired brain couldn’t hang in there.
Someone is burglarizing the homes in Starvation Lake, home of reporter Gus Carpenter and The Pilot, the failing local newspaper 📰. The thief/ thieves strike while an unwitting homeowner is out at Bingo, hence the moniker The Bingo Bandit. In the midst of the murders, there’s another break in at the house next door to Gus’ mother. Unlike the other crimes, this one seems to be related to a long ago disappearance and perhaps nefarious ending of a beloved nun.
Someone is burglarizing the homes in Starvation Lake, home of reporter Gus Carpenter and The Pilot, the failing local newspaper 📰. The thief/ thieves strike while an unwitting homeowner is out at Bingo, hence the moniker The Bingo Bandit. In the midst of the murders, there’s another break in at the house next door to Gus’ mother. Unlike the other crimes, this one seems to be related to a long ago disappearance and perhaps nefarious ending of a beloved nun.
May 22, 2018
4 stars. This is the third book in Gruley's Starvation Lake mysteries. I thought it was a very good read. Gus, editor of the local Pine County Pilot newspaper is disturbed by the recent "Bingo night breakins" targetting older women while they are playing Bingo. When his Mother is hit by the burglar, unfortunately her best friend, who'd been staying with her, was killed. That leads Gus on a journey to discover what really was behind these events and it led him to murder and a cover up.
March 30, 2020
A 2012 Starvation Lake mystery that takes place in a small
town in northern Michigan. Gus Carpenter works on the
newspaper there and tries to find out how his mother's best
friend ends up in her bathroom dead. The sinuous plot goes
back thirty years to a womanizing priest and a missing nun.
Gus's ex-girlfriend Darleen is a police officer who works the
case. A good story well-told.
a
Read
September 9, 2021With a northern Michigan trip in the works, it was fun to return to Bryan Gruley's mysteries set in a region with place names like Starvation Lake and Dead Man's Hill. Here it's not only the small-town reporters and cops who are keeping secrets but also the family and institutional ties that bind the community. Gruley has an ear for dialog and detail and a talent for keeping the reader just a step behind.
November 14, 2022
Another good mystery that takes place at Starvation Lake. Our hero, the editor for the local paper, The Pilot, is writing about the recent burglaries that are taking place during the weekly bingo games. When the burglaries turn into murder the issue escalates and Gus become entwined is finding out who is the culprit. %he evidence is pointing his mother, with dementia, it's clear that she may know more than she is willing to admit. I have to say that this is my favorite so far in the series.
February 16, 2017
#3 in the series. I had not read any others in the series, so I was a bit lost as to the characters, but this did not detract from the overall enjoyment. A bit too convoluted with multiple things going on at the same time which is why I did not go for 4 stars. The author pulled it all together at the end.
April 8, 2018
I really enjoyed this whole series and think that Skeleton Box was very well done. Gruley is a fine writer and his characters are rich and interesting, and sensitively drawn. The plot was complex without being convoluted and the threads all wove together well for a satisfying and authentic conclusion. I am looking forward to the author’s future works.
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