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Hazel Micallef #3
A Door in the River
Stinging deaths aren't uncommon in the summertime, but when Henry Wiest turns up stung to death at an Indian reservation, Detective Hazel Micallef senses not all is as it seems. And when it turns out the "bee" was a diabolical teenaged girl on a murder spree with a strange weapon, a dark and twisted crime begins to slowly emerge. The questions, contradictions, and bodies begin to mount, as two separate police forces struggle to work together to save the soul of Westmuir County.
The third thrilling installment in this acclaimed mystery series, A Door in the River is a brilliantly plotted, psychologically complex, and spellbinding story―and the most haunting Hazel Micallef novel yet.
The third thrilling installment in this acclaimed mystery series, A Door in the River is a brilliantly plotted, psychologically complex, and spellbinding story―and the most haunting Hazel Micallef novel yet.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2011
65 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
About the author
Inger Ash Wolfe
11 books181 followersInger Ash Wolfe is the pseudonym of the Canadian fiction writer Michael Redhill.
Michael Redhill is a poet, playwright and novelist whom has written two novels, a collection of short fiction, three plays, and five collections of poetry. His play, Building Jerusalem (2001) garnered him the Dora Award, the Chalmers Award, and a nomination for the Governor General’s award. His first novel, Martin Sloane (2001), won the Books in Canada First Novel Award, the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize, and was also nominated for the Giller Prize, the City of Toronto Book Award, and the Trillium Book Award. His most recent novel, Consolation (2006), won the City of Toronto Book Award and was also longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. He has acted as an editorial board member for Coach House Press, and is one of the editors, and former publisher, of Brick Magazine.
Michael Redhill is a poet, playwright and novelist whom has written two novels, a collection of short fiction, three plays, and five collections of poetry. His play, Building Jerusalem (2001) garnered him the Dora Award, the Chalmers Award, and a nomination for the Governor General’s award. His first novel, Martin Sloane (2001), won the Books in Canada First Novel Award, the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize, and was also nominated for the Giller Prize, the City of Toronto Book Award, and the Trillium Book Award. His most recent novel, Consolation (2006), won the City of Toronto Book Award and was also longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. He has acted as an editorial board member for Coach House Press, and is one of the editors, and former publisher, of Brick Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
July 2, 2016
A great and complex mystery written by a Canadian who usually writes literary; he/she writes mysteries under this pseudonym.
Anyhow, I loved this book, read it in a day. Just sat on my porch at the Cape in the cool breeze and read and read and got stiff reading so I switched to a small antique rocker I have with a wicker seat and I read until I was done.
Complex, multi-layered, with insight to characters (which I love) and a range of situations and events that kept me turning the pages. A local man who is well-known and well-loved for always 'being there' when someone needs a hand is found dead (wasp sting?) behind a smoke shop. There's a reservation casino up the road and lots of sneaky-type folks here and there. There's a also a young woman on the run and she's tasering (and sometimes killing) everyone she runs into. Well, not everyone, just those on her Arya-type list. (Forgive the GOT reference; it's on my mind of late.)
Anyhow, MC Hazel Micallef, in her early 60's, is the CO of a small police force. She's got issues of her own, what with a cranky 87-year old mother and the fact that Hazel isn't the easiest person in the world to get along with. She's got her 'crew' though, associates, constables, etc., who are all on her side. It's left to her - and them - to sort out what's going on at the smoke shop, if anything, and what the young woman wants who's easing in and out of the woods, often barefoot, tasering people.
Most definitely my kind of book and I'm thrilled to learn there is one more (at least) in this series.
Anyhow, I loved this book, read it in a day. Just sat on my porch at the Cape in the cool breeze and read and read and got stiff reading so I switched to a small antique rocker I have with a wicker seat and I read until I was done.
Complex, multi-layered, with insight to characters (which I love) and a range of situations and events that kept me turning the pages. A local man who is well-known and well-loved for always 'being there' when someone needs a hand is found dead (wasp sting?) behind a smoke shop. There's a reservation casino up the road and lots of sneaky-type folks here and there. There's a also a young woman on the run and she's tasering (and sometimes killing) everyone she runs into. Well, not everyone, just those on her Arya-type list. (Forgive the GOT reference; it's on my mind of late.)
Anyhow, MC Hazel Micallef, in her early 60's, is the CO of a small police force. She's got issues of her own, what with a cranky 87-year old mother and the fact that Hazel isn't the easiest person in the world to get along with. She's got her 'crew' though, associates, constables, etc., who are all on her side. It's left to her - and them - to sort out what's going on at the smoke shop, if anything, and what the young woman wants who's easing in and out of the woods, often barefoot, tasering people.
Most definitely my kind of book and I'm thrilled to learn there is one more (at least) in this series.
February 7, 2017
A Door in the River by Inger Ash Wolfe.
This is the fourth in the Hazel Micallef series and my fourth. This book/story did not catch my attention until well into a third of the story. Then a portal opened up and I was engulfed in a complex abyss of darkness and an atmosphere of hopelessness. It was a story of desperation with no end. The finality to it left a sad life in disrepair and at the same time a possible new beginning for Hazel...if she accepts it.
This mystery delves deep into a hidden world of the most evil corruption imaginable. Excellently written with the array of characters developing as a team and as individuals.
Highly recommended.
This is the fourth in the Hazel Micallef series and my fourth. This book/story did not catch my attention until well into a third of the story. Then a portal opened up and I was engulfed in a complex abyss of darkness and an atmosphere of hopelessness. It was a story of desperation with no end. The finality to it left a sad life in disrepair and at the same time a possible new beginning for Hazel...if she accepts it.
This mystery delves deep into a hidden world of the most evil corruption imaginable. Excellently written with the array of characters developing as a team and as individuals.
Highly recommended.
July 9, 2017
Ah, Hazel. As the world falls apart around her, she prioritizes solving crimes over proper procedure. This may be seen by some as a good thing, but it rubs those around her in all the wrong ways. And this time, she puts herself and her people into danger investigating the death of a local man that isn't considered a homicide early in the book.
But she pushes on, making enemies and doing things her own way (sometimes the hard way) to uncover something much bigger than the original death. Something unexpected. And something much deeper and darker than anyone would imagine lurking in the Ontario countryside.
It's books like these that remind me that I live in a naive little bubble. That I'm safe when others don't have that privilege. And that sometimes we need to be aware of the dangers lurking in those dark shadows.
But she pushes on, making enemies and doing things her own way (sometimes the hard way) to uncover something much bigger than the original death. Something unexpected. And something much deeper and darker than anyone would imagine lurking in the Ontario countryside.
It's books like these that remind me that I live in a naive little bubble. That I'm safe when others don't have that privilege. And that sometimes we need to be aware of the dangers lurking in those dark shadows.
December 19, 2019
I have read all the Hazel Micallef books but this one is the best. It is fast-paced and suspenseful, and you don't always know where the story-line is going. If you have not read any of the books by Inger Ash Wolfe, and want to start with this one, go ahead. This can be a stand-alone book as well as part of the series.
Premise: A friend of Hazel Micallef, Detective Inspector in Westmuir County, Canada, is found dead in the parking lot of a smoke and souvenir shop on the reserve near the casino. Hazel cannot figure out what Henry was doing there in the middle of the night when he didn't smoke. She cannot accept the finding that he died from a wasp sting. Why was he parked there? Just sitting in the lot and so late at night? Then, Henry's wife is attacked at their home. Hazel launches an investigation that leads the reader down the proverbial garden path. Excellent story/Highly recommended.
Premise: A friend of Hazel Micallef, Detective Inspector in Westmuir County, Canada, is found dead in the parking lot of a smoke and souvenir shop on the reserve near the casino. Hazel cannot figure out what Henry was doing there in the middle of the night when he didn't smoke. She cannot accept the finding that he died from a wasp sting. Why was he parked there? Just sitting in the lot and so late at night? Then, Henry's wife is attacked at their home. Hazel launches an investigation that leads the reader down the proverbial garden path. Excellent story/Highly recommended.
December 11, 2012
Another solid entry in the Hazel Micalef series. Not quite as dark as the first two but certainly compelling and contains enough intense scenes to keep you riveted. The story involves sex slavery and the effect it has on one particular victim, who is a rather complex character. The ending is hard hitting and not for the squeamish. Highly recommended.
March 5, 2013
A Door in the River: A Hazel Metcallef Mystery by Inger Ash Wolfe was an e-book from Net Galley. I read The Calling by Wolfe (actually, the pseudonym of Michael Redhill) a few years ago and had mixed feelings. I thought the characters were well done, liked having a protagonist in her 60's, and loved the satirical wit of Hazel's mother, but didn't really care for some of the more gruesome and the over-the-top aspects.
Found the dialogue improved in this one; much easier to determine who was speaking than in The Calling. An interesting initial murder mystery turned into a more complicated conspiracy involving drugs and human-trafficking. It is at this point that the novel moves into the area that some readers like better than others--sadistic, psychopathic criminals/crimes.
It seems that often the purpose of the plot is to provide opportunity for shock value. Or perhaps, the shocking (or titillating) aspects of a novel are to camouflage a weak plot.
In some ways, A Door in the River is a compelling mystery; I just wish the author would concentrate less on making villains monstrous and on excessively sadistic situations-- because the regular characters (Hazel, her police department, and her friends and family) are really worth following. Oh, one more point: I'd like to see Emily's (Hazel's 88-year-old mother) health improve and find her more active again. Her relationship with Hazel is one of the strongest points in this series.
Net Galley. Open Road Media. Pegasus Press
Fiction. Police Procedural/Mystery. 2012. print version 288 pages.
Found the dialogue improved in this one; much easier to determine who was speaking than in The Calling. An interesting initial murder mystery turned into a more complicated conspiracy involving drugs and human-trafficking. It is at this point that the novel moves into the area that some readers like better than others--sadistic, psychopathic criminals/crimes.
It seems that often the purpose of the plot is to provide opportunity for shock value. Or perhaps, the shocking (or titillating) aspects of a novel are to camouflage a weak plot.
In some ways, A Door in the River is a compelling mystery; I just wish the author would concentrate less on making villains monstrous and on excessively sadistic situations-- because the regular characters (Hazel, her police department, and her friends and family) are really worth following. Oh, one more point: I'd like to see Emily's (Hazel's 88-year-old mother) health improve and find her more active again. Her relationship with Hazel is one of the strongest points in this series.
Net Galley. Open Road Media. Pegasus Press
Fiction. Police Procedural/Mystery. 2012. print version 288 pages.
August 18, 2017
I think that Hazel is supposed to be a female anti-hero. She is an unlikable protagonist with whom the reader has some sympathy, but she has too few redeeming qualities. If she weren't so racist she might have coordinated with the authorities at the Native American reservation, and solved the mystery halfway through the book with far fewer casualties. If the first murder victim had gone to the authorities there probably wouldn't be a book at all. Also, the murderer gets away thanks to Hazel, and kills again. The writing isn't good enough to make up for the poor plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2018
Canada's answer to "Vera".
August 30, 2012
First Line: Saturday, August 6, 11:21 p.m. She needed to get to the road.
Inspector Hazel Micallef is the type of character I love, and my love affair with her began with the first book, The Calling. In that book, she is the 62-year-old interim police chief of a small town force in the province of Ontario, Canada. She's divorced, not particularly likeable, and is racked with pain. She lives with her octogenarian larger-than-life mother who's an ex-mayor of the town in which they live. Hazel is smart, relies a lot on her intuition, and doesn't know the meaning of the word quit.
In the second book, The Taken, she finds herself forced to live in the basement of her ex-husband's house after back surgery-- and forced to rely upon not only her ex-husband, but his current wife, for almost everything she needs. For someone as independent and obstinate as Hazel, this is an almost unbearable situation-- but she learns from it. (She may be stubborn, but she's not stupid.)
In this third book, Hazel's story continues. One of the most popular and well-known men in the community has been found dead in the parking lot of a smoke shop on a nearby reservation. The autopsy shows that the man died of anaphylactic shock after being stung by a wasp. Hazel does not believe the findings. She knows the man, and after talking with others who were even closer to him, too many things just don't add up.
Then in short order, the dead man's wife is attacked, and another man is killed. Both crimes have a common denominator: a lone woman who seems to be desperately searching for something. Who is she? What is she looking for? Is she also responsible for the first man's death? Is Hazel going to be able to solve these crimes before someone else dies?
It's a good thing that Hazel is a strong woman because there's a lot more on her plate than a few violent crimes. She's just been informed that there are changes afoot in the police department, one of them being that she has a new boss-- a man whom she used to supervise just a short while ago. But even more worrying than the crimes and the new boss is the fact that Hazel's 88-year-old mother, who's always been so vibrant and full of vinegar, seems to be giving up. As a daughter who loves her mother dearly, this is the hardest thing for her to face. Give Hazel a bad guy any day over seeing her mother lying in bed with her face to the wall.
One of the things I love most about this series is the author's skill in changing my perspective. At the beginning, the killer is a person to be feared and reviled, but as the story unfolds, we find we need to change our point of view. This is about much more than a woman on the rampage, and as Hazel puts the clues together, she understands this and knows that she will not rest until everyone responsible is brought to justice.
Larysa is one of the best "villains" I've read in years. As more and more is learned about this woman, my perspective continually shifted from fear and abhorrence to understanding to great unease. She is a character to remember.
As is Hazel. In her many years of policing, she's excellent at her job, although her people skills are sadly lacking. If she cares about someone and that person is in danger, she will literally move heaven and earth to save them, regardless of the cost to herself.
I've just learned that there are three more books planned in this series, and I couldn't be happier. With superbly plotted stories and a strong-willed quirky main character, this is one series that I want to hang onto for dear life. Is this one of the formulas for books that you love? Then I highly recommend that you get your hands on all three of these books. Is it necessary to read them all in order for them to make sense? Not all all. But when a character like Hazel is involved, you don't want to miss a word of her story!
Inspector Hazel Micallef is the type of character I love, and my love affair with her began with the first book, The Calling. In that book, she is the 62-year-old interim police chief of a small town force in the province of Ontario, Canada. She's divorced, not particularly likeable, and is racked with pain. She lives with her octogenarian larger-than-life mother who's an ex-mayor of the town in which they live. Hazel is smart, relies a lot on her intuition, and doesn't know the meaning of the word quit.
In the second book, The Taken, she finds herself forced to live in the basement of her ex-husband's house after back surgery-- and forced to rely upon not only her ex-husband, but his current wife, for almost everything she needs. For someone as independent and obstinate as Hazel, this is an almost unbearable situation-- but she learns from it. (She may be stubborn, but she's not stupid.)
In this third book, Hazel's story continues. One of the most popular and well-known men in the community has been found dead in the parking lot of a smoke shop on a nearby reservation. The autopsy shows that the man died of anaphylactic shock after being stung by a wasp. Hazel does not believe the findings. She knows the man, and after talking with others who were even closer to him, too many things just don't add up.
Then in short order, the dead man's wife is attacked, and another man is killed. Both crimes have a common denominator: a lone woman who seems to be desperately searching for something. Who is she? What is she looking for? Is she also responsible for the first man's death? Is Hazel going to be able to solve these crimes before someone else dies?
It's a good thing that Hazel is a strong woman because there's a lot more on her plate than a few violent crimes. She's just been informed that there are changes afoot in the police department, one of them being that she has a new boss-- a man whom she used to supervise just a short while ago. But even more worrying than the crimes and the new boss is the fact that Hazel's 88-year-old mother, who's always been so vibrant and full of vinegar, seems to be giving up. As a daughter who loves her mother dearly, this is the hardest thing for her to face. Give Hazel a bad guy any day over seeing her mother lying in bed with her face to the wall.
One of the things I love most about this series is the author's skill in changing my perspective. At the beginning, the killer is a person to be feared and reviled, but as the story unfolds, we find we need to change our point of view. This is about much more than a woman on the rampage, and as Hazel puts the clues together, she understands this and knows that she will not rest until everyone responsible is brought to justice.
Larysa is one of the best "villains" I've read in years. As more and more is learned about this woman, my perspective continually shifted from fear and abhorrence to understanding to great unease. She is a character to remember.
As is Hazel. In her many years of policing, she's excellent at her job, although her people skills are sadly lacking. If she cares about someone and that person is in danger, she will literally move heaven and earth to save them, regardless of the cost to herself.
I've just learned that there are three more books planned in this series, and I couldn't be happier. With superbly plotted stories and a strong-willed quirky main character, this is one series that I want to hang onto for dear life. Is this one of the formulas for books that you love? Then I highly recommend that you get your hands on all three of these books. Is it necessary to read them all in order for them to make sense? Not all all. But when a character like Hazel is involved, you don't want to miss a word of her story!
October 31, 2012
The first two novels in this series captivated me. This one, however, created a sense of restless boredom as I read about an unpleasant topic that has been the premise of numerous books. I will keep hopeful, and wait for the fourth book in the series.
May 8, 2014
This Hazel Micallef series continues to draw me in, although this book was a little harder to read, at times, due to the subject matter, dealing with global human trafficking. Hazel is a determined and strong character, one I enjoy learning more about in each book.
June 16, 2018
This one was a bit crazy. Nothing was as it seemed and the more that Hazel looked into things the more crazy things turned out. I was glad that by the end the people that needed help got it, glad that a good guy remained a good guy. The one person I'm not sure about is Kitty.
January 8, 2019
Dark and very disturbing. Frankly made me hate a certain kind of man.
August 3, 2012
Oh, it has been waaaay too long since the last book by Inger Ash Wolfe in this absolutely wonderful Canadian series! My copy of A Door in the River arrived - I set it aside and picked the day I would read it. Yes, the one day, because I absolutely knew I wouldn't be able to put it down. (And I was right!)
A Door in the River again returns us to Port Dundas, Ontario and Inspector Hazel Micallef. Hazel is a wonderfully different protagonist - one I cannot get enough of. She is sixtyish, lives with her eighty eight year old mother (who is great character on her own - her snappy comebacks are priceless), has just recovered from back surgery (she recuperated in the basement of her ex husband and his new wife) and has finally kicked her addiction to pain pills, although whiskey still calls to her. She is obstinate, intelligent, tenacious and not the easiest person to get along with. But is she a good cop? Yes, but her talents will be tested with this latest case.
"The force of her will and her peculiar way of building evidence for a case was something to see. He understood why she'd driven Ray Greene crazy. And in the end you had to agree with her! There was no way you were going to make your own logic as internally consistent as hers. Supposedly this was "instinct". He'd never really seen it. Too bad she wielded it like a mallet."
A local all round good guy is found dead behind a native smoke shop on reservation land. The local band police investigate and do an autopsy. Death is ruled accidental - anaphylactic shock by a wasp sting. But Hazel knew the man and can't help but wonder why he was on the reserve late at night - he didn't smoke, the store was closed and why was he parked back in the shadows? And so she decides to re-examine their findings. And of course she ruffles some feathers. But what she turns up....
Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! The plot is an absolute nail biter. The tension was so high, I had a very hard time the last eighty pages not turning to the end to see what happened. I managed not to - and I'm glad I didn't. There are some twists I didn't see coming and I was lulled into a false sense of security by the last few pages. (Happily) Caught unawares again.
Now, the crimes are dreadful, (but really, could have been taken from newspaper headlines) so gentler readers be warned.
But for me it is the characters that make this series. For all her irascibility, Hazel does have some soft spots. And Detective James Wingate, is one of them. He is a gentler, calming influence on Hazel's team. James was introduced in the previous book and again takes a primary role in this book. Really, all of the characters come across as real and the dialogue is believable. You'll love to hate the bad guys.
It's so great to see a series set in Canada - and this is one of my all time favourites. Highly recommended.
There are lots of sub plots that hint at a continuation of this series. Hazel's previous deputy has returned as her superintendent, the force is being amalgamated and Port Dundas itself is slated for radical changes. I can't wait to read the next book.
For the first two books, the true identity of Inger Ash Wolfe was a mystery. Names of Canadian authors were bandied about, but Michael Redhill has claimed her at last
A Door in the River again returns us to Port Dundas, Ontario and Inspector Hazel Micallef. Hazel is a wonderfully different protagonist - one I cannot get enough of. She is sixtyish, lives with her eighty eight year old mother (who is great character on her own - her snappy comebacks are priceless), has just recovered from back surgery (she recuperated in the basement of her ex husband and his new wife) and has finally kicked her addiction to pain pills, although whiskey still calls to her. She is obstinate, intelligent, tenacious and not the easiest person to get along with. But is she a good cop? Yes, but her talents will be tested with this latest case.
"The force of her will and her peculiar way of building evidence for a case was something to see. He understood why she'd driven Ray Greene crazy. And in the end you had to agree with her! There was no way you were going to make your own logic as internally consistent as hers. Supposedly this was "instinct". He'd never really seen it. Too bad she wielded it like a mallet."
A local all round good guy is found dead behind a native smoke shop on reservation land. The local band police investigate and do an autopsy. Death is ruled accidental - anaphylactic shock by a wasp sting. But Hazel knew the man and can't help but wonder why he was on the reserve late at night - he didn't smoke, the store was closed and why was he parked back in the shadows? And so she decides to re-examine their findings. And of course she ruffles some feathers. But what she turns up....
Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! The plot is an absolute nail biter. The tension was so high, I had a very hard time the last eighty pages not turning to the end to see what happened. I managed not to - and I'm glad I didn't. There are some twists I didn't see coming and I was lulled into a false sense of security by the last few pages. (Happily) Caught unawares again.
Now, the crimes are dreadful, (but really, could have been taken from newspaper headlines) so gentler readers be warned.
But for me it is the characters that make this series. For all her irascibility, Hazel does have some soft spots. And Detective James Wingate, is one of them. He is a gentler, calming influence on Hazel's team. James was introduced in the previous book and again takes a primary role in this book. Really, all of the characters come across as real and the dialogue is believable. You'll love to hate the bad guys.
It's so great to see a series set in Canada - and this is one of my all time favourites. Highly recommended.
There are lots of sub plots that hint at a continuation of this series. Hazel's previous deputy has returned as her superintendent, the force is being amalgamated and Port Dundas itself is slated for radical changes. I can't wait to read the next book.
For the first two books, the true identity of Inger Ash Wolfe was a mystery. Names of Canadian authors were bandied about, but Michael Redhill has claimed her at last
October 8, 2017
Mystery and police procedural readers should pick up a book by Inger Ash Wolfe (a pseudonym for Michael Redhill). Inger/Michael writes a mean police procedural with a distinctive protaganist for this genre. Hazel Micallef is a small town Ontario police chief in her 60s. Hazel doesn't care to be politically astute and she doesn't waste a lot of time on niceties, but she gets the job done. In this entry in the series, a popular local man is murdered on the nearby First Nations reserve. Originally, the death appeared to be based on natural causes. This didn't sit right with Hazel because she couldn't come up with a valid explanation as to why the victim was in that particular spot late at night. Hazel's dogged determination pays off when a second autopsy reveals they have a homicide victim on their hands. Soon Hazel and company are dealing with a mini-crime spree with an unidentified young woman as the culprit.
The pace is fast and the writing is great. Having said that, this book was my least favourite in the series. The plot seemed overly complex in parts, stretching the believability factor for me. Nonetheless, Inger/Michael is one of my favourite mystery writers. If you haven't read anything by Inger Ash Wolfe, you're missing out on a great series.
The pace is fast and the writing is great. Having said that, this book was my least favourite in the series. The plot seemed overly complex in parts, stretching the believability factor for me. Nonetheless, Inger/Michael is one of my favourite mystery writers. If you haven't read anything by Inger Ash Wolfe, you're missing out on a great series.
December 26, 2016
The previous two books in the Hazel Micallef series were, I thought, really well written mysteries. A Door in the River is well written too, but the whole plot a little too farfetched to be believable. A well liked man is found dead at what appears to be a convenience store. Hazel finds his death a little strange so sets a watch. From this beginning we are led to a busy casino, girls being smuggled by an international white slavery ring, and murder, murder, murder. Too many people are in on it, too many people end up murdered for no good reason. It just isn't plausible for this to be happening in the sparsely populated Canadian countryside. Hazel is still a wonderful character, I enjoy everything about her now that she's off drugs and back home, so I'm looking forward to her next case. Hopefully there will be more to come in this series. And this is most probably my last review in 2016.
November 6, 2012
This is the 3rd book in Inger Ash Wolfe's, "Hazel Micallef Mystery series" and the next book couldn't be written soon enough.
Hazel Micallef is a 62 yr old police chief of a small Ontario town and she has to be one of my favorite characters of all-time. She is divorced, strong-willed, quirky and I can't seem to get enough of her.
This novel also includes some of the characters we are familiar with from the previous books in the series, and now I have grown more attached to them.
The story begins with murder and then evolves into another crime that is quite different and totally unexpected.
I really enjoyed the mystery, the subplots are gripping and the ending has left me anxiously awaiting the continuation of this series.
Hazel Micallef is a 62 yr old police chief of a small Ontario town and she has to be one of my favorite characters of all-time. She is divorced, strong-willed, quirky and I can't seem to get enough of her.
This novel also includes some of the characters we are familiar with from the previous books in the series, and now I have grown more attached to them.
The story begins with murder and then evolves into another crime that is quite different and totally unexpected.
I really enjoyed the mystery, the subplots are gripping and the ending has left me anxiously awaiting the continuation of this series.
May 9, 2015
I do not know what compelled me to read this book when my thoughts about the first two in the series were luke warm. The book started on reasonably well - a well-liked citizen dies of what is supposedly a wasp sting. Hazel doesn't believe it, so she has the death investigated further and it turns out that it was murder. As the investigation goes on, gambling and sex slaves come into play. I thought the story was ok; my problems came with the end of the book - I thought the solution was convoluted and tedious and I just wanted the book to be over. I am also not enamored of the writing style used in these books, it's overall a bit more spare than I prefer. I have many books on my to-read list, and have no plans to keep up with this series.
October 7, 2013
Underwhelmed by this latest addition to the series (#3). It reads as if rushed. Awkward sentences "body being operated from without" - erm, huh? Poor plot structure. P384 "he absolved her" - this for a woman who was horrifically abused from a man who supposedly loved her?
Not enough Hazel and mother interactions which were one of the hooks in the enjoyment of the other two books.
Oh, and I also saw the maguffin from just about the beginning. Disliked the portrayal of First Nations police.
And Hazel viciously assaulting another cop? Puh-leese. The woman is over 60 and a senior officer.
Seriously disappointed.
Not enough Hazel and mother interactions which were one of the hooks in the enjoyment of the other two books.
Oh, and I also saw the maguffin from just about the beginning. Disliked the portrayal of First Nations police.
And Hazel viciously assaulting another cop? Puh-leese. The woman is over 60 and a senior officer.
Seriously disappointed.
November 5, 2013
I confess that it took me a while to get into this book, but I ended up loving it. At first the mystery didn't seem that promising, plus there was a subplot that didn't seem to make much sense. Rest assured, it all comes together in the end--and then some!
I continue to enjoy the main character and her feisty mother. I also liked seeing the behind-the-scene dynamics of the restructuring of the law enforcement system. But most of all, I loved the ending, which of course I won't give away here.
Some reviewers criticized the book for leaving too many loose ends, but I thought that was a good thing: it signifies the probability of a fourth book in this series.
I continue to enjoy the main character and her feisty mother. I also liked seeing the behind-the-scene dynamics of the restructuring of the law enforcement system. But most of all, I loved the ending, which of course I won't give away here.
Some reviewers criticized the book for leaving too many loose ends, but I thought that was a good thing: it signifies the probability of a fourth book in this series.
September 13, 2020
I still enjoy this series. I like the interaction between the characters, and I like much of the plot involving the "mystery" that needs to be solved. Again, I struggled with the "over the top" action involved in the final solution. The end of the book certainly left me wanting to read the next one. I have to know how it turns out for one of the characters. This was a pleasant read where I could just get involved in it and not have to work too hard at staying involved. It does encourage some thinking about the lives some immigrants are forced to lead though.
August 12, 2014
Although I enjoyed A Door in the River by Inger Ash Wolfe, I did not find the story as intriguing as the other books in the series. The plot was a little predictable. I will still continue on in the series. 3 stars
Favorite passage:
A cop's wife said that even in the nude, he looked like a cop.
Favorite passage:
A cop's wife said that even in the nude, he looked like a cop.
October 8, 2012
A harrowing look into organized, commercial sexual violence. The ending is implausible in the way the genre seems to demand.
July 13, 2018
Disappointed. Liked the first two books in the series better. There were elements in the story that were just a bit too fantastic.
September 19, 2018
Enjoyable until towards the end when it became rather ridiculous. Still, he tells a good original tale.
March 18, 2021
Another complicated plot featuring Detective Hazel Micallef. Micallef oversees a squad in a rural area in Ontario, Canada. Technically, she belongs to the province's police department and therefore has the run of the entire province. With the help of protege Constable Wingate (I think it's constable), she follows the leads regardless of where they take her.
A man is found behind a convenience store, apparently the victim of a bee sting, which led to a heart attack. Others think it's tragic but an accident. Micallef thinks otherwise. Too many questions don't have good answers. She takes on the case and declares it a homicide. But how and why?
It takes a good many interviews leading to other interviews but finally the detectives hit upon a scheme to expose a racket, a scheme that threatens their lives.
It is hard to find the equal of these plots, which do hang together, however unlikely. It is also hard to find the equal of the character development in these books. I love Hazel's cranky character and the fact that she is an older woman without many attractive physical traits. If a television series is ever done on this series I hope the actress playing Hazel is not a beauty.
Beyond the characters of the detectives, Wolfe brings us interesting characters in the main plot, often people we might want to meet again.
A man is found behind a convenience store, apparently the victim of a bee sting, which led to a heart attack. Others think it's tragic but an accident. Micallef thinks otherwise. Too many questions don't have good answers. She takes on the case and declares it a homicide. But how and why?
It takes a good many interviews leading to other interviews but finally the detectives hit upon a scheme to expose a racket, a scheme that threatens their lives.
It is hard to find the equal of these plots, which do hang together, however unlikely. It is also hard to find the equal of the character development in these books. I love Hazel's cranky character and the fact that she is an older woman without many attractive physical traits. If a television series is ever done on this series I hope the actress playing Hazel is not a beauty.
Beyond the characters of the detectives, Wolfe brings us interesting characters in the main plot, often people we might want to meet again.
October 26, 2018
This story is about young girls kidnapped and forced into sexual slavery, hidden from sight underground, in the background of an illegal casino. It happens that even the souvenir shop and the legitimate casino people are involved, and one reservation police officer. In the midst of all this, Hazel has recovered from her back surgeries, moved home with her mother, and is dealing with major changes in her police department, including one person she fired now being her boss. When Henry is found dead in the parking lot of the souvenir shop, Hazel begins working through the clues that eventually lead her to those behind the whole thing. But there is much tragedy in this story, on many fronts; the pace is fast but not hard to follow. I was surprised many times, especially at the end. I couldn't help but feel sickened as this story unfolded in a small town, and the author did not spare the reader much at all. Good read.
July 1, 2021
Another page-turner in the Hazel Micallef series, although this one had larger print and bigger margins so I read it in one day. Interesting but fairly unbelievable plot. Don't know if I'll read any more of these, but I do like picturing Susan Sarandon as Hazel. (She played her in the movie adaptation of The Calling.) It was obvious to me from the start that Inger Ash Wolfe was really a man, because the action in this series is very violent and often gory. Also, the shocking ending of this story was extremely disappointing.
March 19, 2019
Man, that ending was a downer. And given the subject matter, that's saying something.
The developments in the life of Hazel Micallef, both personal and professional, continue to be the draw in this series. The portrayal of her shifting relationship with her mother, , was particularly poignant. And, as always, the relationship between Hazel and Wingate is so great. They started as an unlikely pair but have become such a terrific unit together.
The developments in the life of Hazel Micallef, both personal and professional, continue to be the draw in this series. The portrayal of her shifting relationship with her mother, , was particularly poignant. And, as always, the relationship between Hazel and Wingate is so great. They started as an unlikely pair but have become such a terrific unit together.
October 5, 2018
I really enjoy the Inger Ash Wolfe books, and hope there will be more. Hazel is a quirky crabby heroine who is a lot of fun to read about, and her equally quirky mother is also intersting.
I wonder who this author really is, as the name is an admitted pseudonom for a known author. Penny perhaps?
I wonder who this author really is, as the name is an admitted pseudonom for a known author. Penny perhaps?
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