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The Waters of Star Lake
Newly widowed Natalie Waters expects only nostalgia and solitude at her quiet, rustic cabin. But the wilderness conceals more than one perilous mystery. Where in Wisconsin's Northwoods did the notorious gangster John Dillinger hide $210,000 following a violent FBI shootout? And why do the local timberwolves incite so much rage among Natalie's neighbors?As predators circle and howl in the dark, Ginger, the bartender at the nearby Star Lake Saloon, draws Natalie deep into the secrets not only of Dillinger but of the ecologies of family, forest, and heart. With the reluctant support of her granddaughter and advice from a handsome wolf biologist, Natalie is forced to choose between adversity and adventure.Sara Rath continues her popular Northwoods saga in this affirming and often humorous tale of romance, betrayal, and danger.
240 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 26, 2019
I usually do not read mysteries. I bought this one at a book fair. I enjoyed reading the characterizations and the story kept my interest. A good book to read on a cold winter night.
August 14, 2020
LIFE AND FUN IN WISCONSIN'S NORTH COUNTRY. This is not serious literature, but more escapist type lit. It is an easy read, but does touch on serious issues. Ms Rath is an environmentalist bringing the issue of wolves and these beautiful and intelligent animals coexisting with humans. There are those who are in favor of having these wolves live in their area, this is where they belong in the wild. They have always been here. Others feel wolves should all be killed, they are vermin, they kill farm animals, pets and will move on to children
The story begins when widow, Natalie Waters, moves to a vacation home, very primitive, in Wisconsin's North Woods. She plans to stay for the summer and renew her friendship with Ginger and Lily, two ladies of upper middle age, in the same age group as Tellie.
The cabin has been built by Natalie's great grandfather. She has spent her summers, growing up, in the cabin enjoying the wild country. Her two sons have grown away from this type vacation. Tallie and her husband love the north country, their favorite place in the world, though they have traveled much. Her son has dumped his daughter, Tallie's only grandchild, Minnow, fourteen, an obnoxious teen to stay with Grandma. Minnow hates the North Country, but grows to love her summer here. Minnow loves animals, hates hunters and hunting, is a vegetarian.
Tallie's best friend, a gift from her late husband, Molly, a chocolate lab has been attacked by a wolf. Tallie grows to respect these animals. This is their place also.
The three upper middle aged ladies, plus Minnow, decide on Ginger's whim to find John Dillinger's stash of money adding up to two hundred thousand or more that Mr Dillinger placed in a suitcase, dug a deep hole in the area of the Little Bohemian Lounge. The four go around digging in the vicinity, looking for clues as to where the money could be hidden. Paper money would have deteriorated by now. This is true. John Dillinger's money has been searched for for many years and has never been found. This part of the North Woods attracts tourists. Enjoyed the read, fun, relaxing.
The story begins when widow, Natalie Waters, moves to a vacation home, very primitive, in Wisconsin's North Woods. She plans to stay for the summer and renew her friendship with Ginger and Lily, two ladies of upper middle age, in the same age group as Tellie.
The cabin has been built by Natalie's great grandfather. She has spent her summers, growing up, in the cabin enjoying the wild country. Her two sons have grown away from this type vacation. Tallie and her husband love the north country, their favorite place in the world, though they have traveled much. Her son has dumped his daughter, Tallie's only grandchild, Minnow, fourteen, an obnoxious teen to stay with Grandma. Minnow hates the North Country, but grows to love her summer here. Minnow loves animals, hates hunters and hunting, is a vegetarian.
Tallie's best friend, a gift from her late husband, Molly, a chocolate lab has been attacked by a wolf. Tallie grows to respect these animals. This is their place also.
The three upper middle aged ladies, plus Minnow, decide on Ginger's whim to find John Dillinger's stash of money adding up to two hundred thousand or more that Mr Dillinger placed in a suitcase, dug a deep hole in the area of the Little Bohemian Lounge. The four go around digging in the vicinity, looking for clues as to where the money could be hidden. Paper money would have deteriorated by now. This is true. John Dillinger's money has been searched for for many years and has never been found. This part of the North Woods attracts tourists. Enjoyed the read, fun, relaxing.
March 23, 2013
Taking place in the great Northwoods of Wisconsin, this story focuses on 60-something widow Talie Waters, looking to escape her bustling Madison life for the quiet solitude of her family's rustic, lake-side cabin. Over the course of the summer, she is faced with many challenges to her quest of peace. First there is the danger of the area wolf packs roaming the land surrounding the cabin. This brings forth interest from both a respected wolf biologist and an area wolf hunter. Next she is challenged with looking after a wayward granddaughter, who she hasn't seen in years. And finally, two local "characters" recruit Natalie in their search for John Dillinger's lost treasure. What will Natalie find in her summer up north?
Kristen Z. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
February 13, 2015
I have truly enjoyed this novel. It took me less than a day to finish it! I was a little upset that the Star Lake in the novel wasn't the real Star Lake (which I have been to), I did enjoy reading about all the Wisconsin Northwoods towns that generally don't get a mention anywhere else. The story was interesting, with an undertone in the Wisconsin politics over hunting wolves, hidden behind the story of finding a hidden treasure by John Dillinger. I would recommend this to anyone from WI, even it's just to read about Eagle River, Rhinelander, Minoqua, and Manitowish Waters (and be one of the few who can pronounce them all correctly.
December 30, 2012
A wonderful story set in Northern Wisconsin close to where I live. There's even a little John Dillenger mystery tucked into it. Lots of information on the wolf packs that roam the northern area too.
Central character is a 60ish widow from Madison who comes to spend the summer at her family's old cabin on Star Lake. Her son dumps his 14 year old problem daughter with her so he and his wife can head off to Europe. How the two resolve their differences and change over the course of the summer adds to the story. The neighbor ladies Ginger and Lily are a hoot.
Central character is a 60ish widow from Madison who comes to spend the summer at her family's old cabin on Star Lake. Her son dumps his 14 year old problem daughter with her so he and his wife can head off to Europe. How the two resolve their differences and change over the course of the summer adds to the story. The neighbor ladies Ginger and Lily are a hoot.
November 17, 2012
This was a really good book. I found out about this book in a newspaper article about Wisconsin authors, and then realized this was the second book. I enjoyed the first one too. It's fun to read books that take place in the state I live in. Sara Rath definitely has been up north. She does a great job writing what it's like to be up north, and it makes me want to go to my family's cottage. I hope she continues to write books in this series.
December 28, 2012
Sara Rath’s second Star Lake novel does a good job of showing both sides of such a timely, touchy issue in Wisconsin – wolves. (As the first one does with mining.) The Dillinger mystery, eccentric characters Ginger and Lily, unexpected love and family growth, all add a good balance to more serious topics like wolf and bear poaching to make an enjoyable novel set on a beautiful Northern Wisconsin lake. A great, quick read for a Wisconsin girl like me.
July 21, 2012
Not sure what is up here but the ISBN does not match my hardcover book, and when I put the one in that is on the book, I get another book by Sara Rath. Anyway a nice story of recovery from loss, a cheating husband, and low self esteem. Throw in some info on endangered wolves, bear hunting, John Dillinger, and the great northwoods of Wisconsin and you have a really interesting read.
July 23, 2013
Realistic fiction. Takes place in Wisconsin's Northwoods. Natalie's plan to spend a relaxing summer alone at the cottage goes awry when her troubled fourteen year old granddaughter joins her. Friends, wolves, and the gangster, John Dillinger, all play a part in her summer adventure. A slow starter but charming.
July 22, 2013
I greatly enjoyed this book. We vacationed in the Rhinelander the last 2 summers, so this was a fun read. I thought the author did a great job of describing the setting and developing like able characters.
August 20, 2012
This book is very timely for Wisconsin right now. It talks of bear and wolf hunts and the strong feelings on both sides of that debate.
September 15, 2012
I shelved this bok as chick lit....but found it interesting, humerous and entertaining. I really give it a 3.75 rating.
September 26, 2012
Fun little summer read. A bit of heart and a bit of mystery. Nice.
May 28, 2013
This is a great book and relatable to people who know northern Minnesota/Wisconsin. It involves love, change, and hairbrained ideas that actually prove to be something great. Highly recommend it!
June 20, 2013
Enjoyed the tie in with Wisconsin, northwoods, Dillinger, the wolves, and the grandmother/granddaughter relationship. Short book. Good read!
June 29, 2013
I enjoyed this book very much. It's a short read that had me waiting to read the next chapter.
January 22, 2014
Enjoyed the book. Brought back a lot of memories going to my Great Uncle and Great Aunt's cottage around the Crandon area.
January 28, 2016
Quirky adventure story interspersed with history, nature politics, and a hint of romance, all set against a familiar northern Wisconsin backdrop. An enjoyable read!
November 23, 2016
Not sure I ever had all the male characters straight.
I was impressed by what some love, affection & attention did for Minnow.
I was impressed by what some love, affection & attention did for Minnow.
March 1, 2014
A widow returns to her family cabin looking for relief from the sorrow of losing her husband. Soon she is caught up with a neighbor's quest for lost treasure, the dispute over wolf reintroduction, and an errant granddaughter's visit. For anyone that has spent time in Northern Wisconsin this book can be fun. The descriptions of the lakes, woods, and cottages return one to summers in the North. The treasure hunt is for Dillinger's lost cash on the night he was rousted from the Little Bohemia. Again, for anyone acquainted with the area this is a fun side adventure.
All in all, the book is rather loosely written. Only certain sections kept my interest and even then I did not think it was especially well done. A gruesome description of a bear cub's death negatively affected me and my view of the author. This scene could have been a very powerful ecological message but because of the writing it just seems to be here for shock value.
All in all, the book is rather loosely written. Only certain sections kept my interest and even then I did not think it was especially well done. A gruesome description of a bear cub's death negatively affected me and my view of the author. This scene could have been a very powerful ecological message but because of the writing it just seems to be here for shock value.
Holly S. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
September 3, 2017
Enjoyed the setting of Northern Wisconsin and the including the current Bear/Wolf/Hound Hunting laws and policies that are in bitter debate, into the plot. I stand firmly they should outlaw Bear Baiting and using hounds in hunting Bear.
But this book was more chick-lit/Lifetime movie than a cozy mystery and really lost my interest.
Still finished it, but I wouldn't recommend.
But this book was more chick-lit/Lifetime movie than a cozy mystery and really lost my interest.
Still finished it, but I wouldn't recommend.
August 6, 2023
Wisconsin North woods
Interesting story of gangsters hanging out in the north woods.
A lot of information. There was a lot of nutty unbelievable situations too. Just a "simple minded" easy read.
Interesting story of gangsters hanging out in the north woods.
A lot of information. There was a lot of nutty unbelievable situations too. Just a "simple minded" easy read.
July 8, 2018
“Daylight in the swamp!” Growing up in central Wisconsin, that would be my dad’s wake up call! This story took me back to my early years. Enjoy the smell of the pines and feel the moss under your feet. Cringe at the creepy spiders and the well-remembered stench in the outhouse! Fun characters and nicely woven story!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews