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Alex McKnight #9
Die a Stranger
The New York Times Bestseller
Late one night, a plane lands on a deserted airstrip. Five dead bodies are found there the next morning. And now Vinnie LeBlanc is missing.
Vinnie is a member of the Ojibwa Indian tribe and he just might be Alex McKnight's best friend. So Alex can't help but be worried when he disappears. There's a deadly crime war creeping into Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Alex never would have thought that his friend could be involved. But after an unexpected stranger arrives in town, Alex will soon find out that the stakes are higher than he ever could have imagined.
The latest in Steve Hamilton's Edgar Award–winning series, Die a Stranger just might be his boldest book yet.
Late one night, a plane lands on a deserted airstrip. Five dead bodies are found there the next morning. And now Vinnie LeBlanc is missing.
Vinnie is a member of the Ojibwa Indian tribe and he just might be Alex McKnight's best friend. So Alex can't help but be worried when he disappears. There's a deadly crime war creeping into Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Alex never would have thought that his friend could be involved. But after an unexpected stranger arrives in town, Alex will soon find out that the stakes are higher than he ever could have imagined.
The latest in Steve Hamilton's Edgar Award–winning series, Die a Stranger just might be his boldest book yet.
277 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2012
183 people are currently reading
1177 people want to read
About the author
Steve Hamilton
53 books1,691 followersTwo-time Edgar Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of the Nick Mason series, The Lock Artist, and the Alex McKnight series. AN HONORABLE ASSASSIN (Mason #3) coming August 27, 2024!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
November 27, 2012
While reading Steve Hamilton's ninth mystery featuring Michigan ex-cop Alex McKnight, all I kept thinking was, "Why isn't Steve Hamilton more of a household name?" Having read every one of his books, I always walk away immensely satisfied by the depth of his characters, the complexity with which he imbues every plotline, and the emotions he touches on. That's a rare feat.
Alex McKnight lives in the small Upper Peninsula town of Paradise. Constantly living with the reminder of being shot as a policeman while his partner was killed (Alex has a bullet lodged just near his heart), he is a fiercely loyal friend and unsuccessful former private investigator who can't seem to stay out of trouble, or trouble just seems to find him.
Vinnie LeBlanc is one of Alex's closest friends. Maybe even his best friend. The two have gotten into some scrapes before, but both have saved each other from danger in the past. When Vinnie mysteriously disappears the night after his mother dies, Alex knows this isn't just grief-related sadness or the need to get away; he knows Vinnie is in trouble. And despite the entreaties of law enforcement and the distrust of Vinnie's own family and reservation numbers, Alex is determined to find Vinnie and help him.
With the help of someone from Vinnie's past, Alex discovers his disappearance is tied to an incident at an isolated airport that left five people dead. But the dangers they uncover—and the ramifications of their actions—leave Alex, Vinnie, and everyone they know in harm's way, and there aren't many solutions left.
What I loved about this book, as I do all of Steve Hamilton's books, is the perfect balance between action, suspense, and introspection. It's not all car chases, gunplay and fistfights, nor is it all brooding and reflection. Alex McKnight is a fantastic character I've really come to enjoy over the years, and I feel that way about the other recurring characters in this series—Vinnie, Jackie, even Chief Maven. I really think the series would make an excellent television show, because I'd want to spend more time with it than simply seeing a movie every now and again.
If you like this genre, pick up a Steve Hamilton book. Any one in the series would do, as would his two other stand-alone novels. And maybe you'll help me in my quest to make him the household name he deserves to be.
Alex McKnight lives in the small Upper Peninsula town of Paradise. Constantly living with the reminder of being shot as a policeman while his partner was killed (Alex has a bullet lodged just near his heart), he is a fiercely loyal friend and unsuccessful former private investigator who can't seem to stay out of trouble, or trouble just seems to find him.
Vinnie LeBlanc is one of Alex's closest friends. Maybe even his best friend. The two have gotten into some scrapes before, but both have saved each other from danger in the past. When Vinnie mysteriously disappears the night after his mother dies, Alex knows this isn't just grief-related sadness or the need to get away; he knows Vinnie is in trouble. And despite the entreaties of law enforcement and the distrust of Vinnie's own family and reservation numbers, Alex is determined to find Vinnie and help him.
With the help of someone from Vinnie's past, Alex discovers his disappearance is tied to an incident at an isolated airport that left five people dead. But the dangers they uncover—and the ramifications of their actions—leave Alex, Vinnie, and everyone they know in harm's way, and there aren't many solutions left.
What I loved about this book, as I do all of Steve Hamilton's books, is the perfect balance between action, suspense, and introspection. It's not all car chases, gunplay and fistfights, nor is it all brooding and reflection. Alex McKnight is a fantastic character I've really come to enjoy over the years, and I feel that way about the other recurring characters in this series—Vinnie, Jackie, even Chief Maven. I really think the series would make an excellent television show, because I'd want to spend more time with it than simply seeing a movie every now and again.
If you like this genre, pick up a Steve Hamilton book. Any one in the series would do, as would his two other stand-alone novels. And maybe you'll help me in my quest to make him the household name he deserves to be.
February 10, 2024
It’s a snow day in Northern Arizona so it was nice to finish a book a few days earlier than originally planned. Not to mention how great it is to read while watching the snow fall with coffee in hand, in absolute quietness. ❄️
The Alex McKnight series had been great and the author is one who flew under the radar during his published years. Nick Mason is another excellent character in a different series. Not sure if he’ll continue writing as it’s been a few years since his last release but I sure liked #9 in the series. Early on, this series also earned him both a Shamus and an Edgar award.
The Alex McKnight series had been great and the author is one who flew under the radar during his published years. Nick Mason is another excellent character in a different series. Not sure if he’ll continue writing as it’s been a few years since his last release but I sure liked #9 in the series. Early on, this series also earned him both a Shamus and an Edgar award.
February 4, 2017
I listened to this novel on my drive from Florida. While the subject matter is deep, Mr. Hamilton keeps things interesting and forward-moving. 6 of 10 stars
January 22, 2021
Another fast paced novel from Steve Hamilton starring the fabulous reluctant hero, Alex McKnight.
There are bad guys.
There's a lot of driving around the UP (Upper Peninsula of Michigan).
There's a startling ending (seriously--I was at 97% and could not figure out how he was going to wrap it up).
As with all the Alex McKnight books, I can heartily recommend this one. At it's core, it's a story of what length we're willing to go for our friends. (Note: This is a mainstream book so that includes some language as well as several grizzly scenes.
There are bad guys.
There's a lot of driving around the UP (Upper Peninsula of Michigan).
There's a startling ending (seriously--I was at 97% and could not figure out how he was going to wrap it up).
As with all the Alex McKnight books, I can heartily recommend this one. At it's core, it's a story of what length we're willing to go for our friends. (Note: This is a mainstream book so that includes some language as well as several grizzly scenes.
July 6, 2012
Free books make me happy! Once again thank you to the folks at Goodreads and St Martins Press for the advanced copy of "Die a Stranger" through the first reads program.
I started reading Steve Hamilton back in 1998 after the release of "Cold Day in Paradise" for no better reason than I had a friend by the same name (still do). I was pleasantly surprised and remain a faithful reader. The highlight of his bibliography, in my opinion, was 2009's wonderful "The Lock Artist".
"Die a Stranger" is the story of former cop, former PI Alex McKnights quest to help friend and Ojibwa tribal member Vinnie LeBlanc out of a burgeoning drug war in the Upper Peninsula area of Michigan. The book is a solid addition to the Alex McKnight series, if not terribly original, with a nice twist at the end. One of the aspects I like about the Alex McKnight series is the setting. The Upper Peninsula area doesn't appear much in crime/mystery fiction. In fact, outside of Detroit, the state of Michigan doesn't pop up much at all. McKnight, who still carries a bullet fragment literally too close to his heart after being wounded while on the job, is a steady, loyal character with a penchant for Canadian beer. To me, he lacks an edge, though. Maybe I've grown fat on Davenport/Flowers, Spenser, Bolitar, Corey, et al but I've grown used to this type of character having sarcastic wit and the capacity for violence. That's not to say that Alex McKnight needs to be anything other than what he is or that Steve Hamilton needs to emulate Sandford, Parker, Coben, DeMille or even LeHane, etc. The Alex McKnight books are worth reading and I will continue to do so as they are released.
I started reading Steve Hamilton back in 1998 after the release of "Cold Day in Paradise" for no better reason than I had a friend by the same name (still do). I was pleasantly surprised and remain a faithful reader. The highlight of his bibliography, in my opinion, was 2009's wonderful "The Lock Artist".
"Die a Stranger" is the story of former cop, former PI Alex McKnights quest to help friend and Ojibwa tribal member Vinnie LeBlanc out of a burgeoning drug war in the Upper Peninsula area of Michigan. The book is a solid addition to the Alex McKnight series, if not terribly original, with a nice twist at the end. One of the aspects I like about the Alex McKnight series is the setting. The Upper Peninsula area doesn't appear much in crime/mystery fiction. In fact, outside of Detroit, the state of Michigan doesn't pop up much at all. McKnight, who still carries a bullet fragment literally too close to his heart after being wounded while on the job, is a steady, loyal character with a penchant for Canadian beer. To me, he lacks an edge, though. Maybe I've grown fat on Davenport/Flowers, Spenser, Bolitar, Corey, et al but I've grown used to this type of character having sarcastic wit and the capacity for violence. That's not to say that Alex McKnight needs to be anything other than what he is or that Steve Hamilton needs to emulate Sandford, Parker, Coben, DeMille or even LeHane, etc. The Alex McKnight books are worth reading and I will continue to do so as they are released.
April 8, 2014
I blame myself for my disappointment with this novel. Not that I had unreal expectations but that I had expectations at all proved to be an issue.
I was expecting crime/investigative thriller but after reading I would consider this a cozy mystery.
I've never read this author or series before. Never heard of it I don't believe. It was by chance; a casual browse off the library audiobook shelf and my need to fill roadtrip audio airspace in my car. I knew pretty early on that I was now dealing with a returning character but no idea that this was Book 9.
As a standalone, I found the pacing of this story to be slow and uneventful. I finished a novel that seemed to never really start. There was little danger, minimal threats or mysteries to solve. The puzzle pieces that were assembled were done so by extended case scenario dialogue (odd that every sentence started with "Hell") and by pure chance. Not once did I feel as if I could not wait for the reveal. Not a page turner at all. The "villain(s)" was truly laughable. I thought for a moment this was intended as parody.
Regarding the audiobook, this was a new narrator for me too. He did a great job with the accents and multiple recalled characters. I do believe his voice was a bit younger than our hero was meant to be but that's no deal breaker.
I can do cozy mysteries, this novel just didn't know it was one. With that I unfortunately cannot foresee a return to the series...at least not intentionally. This is Book 9 so I'm clearly in the minority. And that's okay, no such thing as one size fits all.
I was expecting crime/investigative thriller but after reading I would consider this a cozy mystery.
I've never read this author or series before. Never heard of it I don't believe. It was by chance; a casual browse off the library audiobook shelf and my need to fill roadtrip audio airspace in my car. I knew pretty early on that I was now dealing with a returning character but no idea that this was Book 9.
As a standalone, I found the pacing of this story to be slow and uneventful. I finished a novel that seemed to never really start. There was little danger, minimal threats or mysteries to solve. The puzzle pieces that were assembled were done so by extended case scenario dialogue (odd that every sentence started with "Hell") and by pure chance. Not once did I feel as if I could not wait for the reveal. Not a page turner at all. The "villain(s)" was truly laughable. I thought for a moment this was intended as parody.
Regarding the audiobook, this was a new narrator for me too. He did a great job with the accents and multiple recalled characters. I do believe his voice was a bit younger than our hero was meant to be but that's no deal breaker.
I can do cozy mysteries, this novel just didn't know it was one. With that I unfortunately cannot foresee a return to the series...at least not intentionally. This is Book 9 so I'm clearly in the minority. And that's okay, no such thing as one size fits all.
April 1, 2021
Alex has few friends yet he is a man that you would want as a friend. He cares about his friends and is quite loyal to them even if he is abrasive at times. And this causes him problems at times.
Alex McKnight is a medically retired cop from Detroit. He moved to the Upper Peninsula, more commonly referred to as The U.P., to live in a cabin close to Lake Superior, one of several his father had built. The rest he rents to tourists who hunt, take pictures or snowmobile. He has few of those friends I mentioned and leads a somewhat solitary life. Or so you would think. But life keeps throwing adventures, or more to the point, misadventures in his path.
One of his friends is Vinnie. Vinnie is missing as is Vinnie's cousin. Who isn't missing is Vinnie's father who has come out of the mists of time to team up with Alex to help find his son. Not that Alex wants that help.
This is another series set in the UP and I love it as much as the Grady Service series by Joseph Heywood. It's filled with adventure and danger and with great character development and yes, mystery and danger.
Read it for the locale and stick around for the adventure . . . or more to the point, the misadventure.
Alex McKnight is a medically retired cop from Detroit. He moved to the Upper Peninsula, more commonly referred to as The U.P., to live in a cabin close to Lake Superior, one of several his father had built. The rest he rents to tourists who hunt, take pictures or snowmobile. He has few of those friends I mentioned and leads a somewhat solitary life. Or so you would think. But life keeps throwing adventures, or more to the point, misadventures in his path.
One of his friends is Vinnie. Vinnie is missing as is Vinnie's cousin. Who isn't missing is Vinnie's father who has come out of the mists of time to team up with Alex to help find his son. Not that Alex wants that help.
This is another series set in the UP and I love it as much as the Grady Service series by Joseph Heywood. It's filled with adventure and danger and with great character development and yes, mystery and danger.
Read it for the locale and stick around for the adventure . . . or more to the point, the misadventure.
December 15, 2024
An interesting side quest in the Alex McKnight series. The ending was a bit of a surprise and not the normal wrap for a crime novel. Sometimes it got pretty close to over-the-top on the native parts, but Hamilton kept it from going too far. Solid. Didn't throw me off wanting to read more of the series.
May 19, 2017
I love the Alex McNight series and Steve Hamilton is a fantastic writer and person, but this one simply isn't the best of the series. I can see the seeds of the Nick Mason series in the subtext and increased violence of this installment.
October 2, 2017
This is a good series about a retired Detroit cop who moves up to northern Michigan, but trouble always seems to find him.
December 8, 2018
A plane lands in a local airfield with a shootout causing some confusion and both Cousin Buck along with Vinnie LeBlanc going missing. The ninth Alex McKnight thriller from author Steve Hamilton, "Die A Stranger", brings some surprises and consequences. Alex is still trying to get his last cabin rebuilt with his best friend Vinnie LeBlanc helping. Although Vinnie is doing the bulk of the labor, Alex is glad this project is finally seeing light at the end. Lou Leblanc, Vinnie's long absent father comes pounding at Alex's door one morning with distressing news. Lou gone from Vinnie's life for almost thirty years is now finally out of prison on parole and living in Las Vegas. Vinnie despises his father and has made no attempt in thirty years to be in contact with him. Lou is at Alex's door because Vinnie has disappeared about the time of the shootout at the local airport. Lou is pretty sure Vinnie is involved with the plane packed with marijuana landing locally prompting a shout out between drug dealers and the police. Lou must talk Alex into teaming up and finding out where Vinnie is at. Alex reluctantly agrees and they head out on Vinnie's trail. The pair find out they are looking for local drug suppliers Harry and Josephine Kaiser. The evidence also points out that Buck and possibly Vinnie are wounded. The chase has the pair clashing with a psychotic Chicago gangster named Corvo. This very quick reading plot spans just over 270 pages. I read this thriller in just two sittings. Not as nearly as riveting as the last couple of McKnight thrillers, this one was merely okay. The ending was a bit forced as well. Three stars out of a possible five stars for, "Die A Stranger", from author Steve Hamilton. An okay read in a pretty good series. check it out.
December 9, 2020
Remember when there was an incident at the Sandusky Airport where smugglers dropped off drugs from Canada? This book draws from that incident, so it’s really interesting to see how a fiction writer can be inspired from a real event (especially one that occurred so close to home).
I’ve read most of this series about a former Detroit cop/private investigator who lives in the U.P. The books are always fun, quick reads.
I’ve read most of this series about a former Detroit cop/private investigator who lives in the U.P. The books are always fun, quick reads.
August 12, 2012
I have enjoyed 10 novels by this author prior to this current book. I have to say that this one is tiresome.
Alex McKnight, the continuing character, is a retired Detroit policeman. He has a PI license that he rarely uses. He rents out cabins (that his father built long ago and he rebuilds after a fire) in the Upper Peninsula (UP) in Michigan. I like the setting (in the vicinity of Lake Superior). It reminds me of William Kent Krueger novels, featuring Cork O’Connor, located in northern Minnesota. Both series incorporate the Ojibwe culture in nearby reservations.
In this book, Alex’s best friend disappears (the friend has a history of disappearing), and Alex goes out looking for him. For about 70% of the book (at least it seemed that way to me), Alex drives around to random places looking for Vinnie. The payoff didn’t justify for me all that time I spent reading about Alex driving around.
Alex McKnight, the continuing character, is a retired Detroit policeman. He has a PI license that he rarely uses. He rents out cabins (that his father built long ago and he rebuilds after a fire) in the Upper Peninsula (UP) in Michigan. I like the setting (in the vicinity of Lake Superior). It reminds me of William Kent Krueger novels, featuring Cork O’Connor, located in northern Minnesota. Both series incorporate the Ojibwe culture in nearby reservations.
In this book, Alex’s best friend disappears (the friend has a history of disappearing), and Alex goes out looking for him. For about 70% of the book (at least it seemed that way to me), Alex drives around to random places looking for Vinnie. The payoff didn’t justify for me all that time I spent reading about Alex driving around.
August 31, 2022
“I am my own worst enemy. I realize that. I get something in my head and can’t let go of it and I drive myself and everyone else around me absolutely crazy.”
Alex McKnight is a former Detroit Police Officer who took a disability retirement after an attack killed his partner and left Alex with a bullet one centimeter from his heart. Now he's living a simpler life renting out cabins his father built years ago in the tiny town of Paradise, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The thing that Alex cannot get out of his head is that his best friend, Vinnie LeBlanc hasn’t been seen or heard from for several days. He knows that Vinnie likes his privacy, so does Alex. But, something about this doesn’t feel right. Especially knowing that Vinnie’s disappearance happened right after 5 dead bodies and a plane filled with bags of marijuana were found at the nearby Newberry Airport. Once Alex realizes that Vinnie’s cousin, Buck, is also missing Alex knows for sure that Vinnie is in some kind of trouble because 1) Buck is always looking for easy work that will net him a lot of money with little effort and 2) Vinnie would do anything to help his cousin.
The plane, we learn, is a part of a new drug trade taking place across the US/Canada border. This new operation is dangerous, think Mexican cartels. They’ll stop at nothing to protect their turf. But there is at least one too many crime bosses in this operation, and Vinnie and Buck are in real danger. When Vinnie's estranged father shows up at Alex’s place wanting to help his son things get even stranger. Lou has been in prison for the last 25 years and Vinnie has no love for the man.
As always, the story is told in the first person by McKnight, a curmudgeonly, sarcastic, likable enough guy who makes a credible hero. It is well paced and the details are engrossing with good supporting characters. This is a fun series with plenty of action and twists and turns. This is book 9 in the series and, I’m sorry to say, my least favorite. I thought about 3 stars but settled on 4 because, in general, I really like the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#EmptyNestReader #instagram #DieAStranger #SteveHamilton #AlexMcKnightNovels #MinotaurBooks #mysteryfiction #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #AugustReads #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #librarybooks #AADLGram #AnnArborDistrictLibrary
Alex McKnight is a former Detroit Police Officer who took a disability retirement after an attack killed his partner and left Alex with a bullet one centimeter from his heart. Now he's living a simpler life renting out cabins his father built years ago in the tiny town of Paradise, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The thing that Alex cannot get out of his head is that his best friend, Vinnie LeBlanc hasn’t been seen or heard from for several days. He knows that Vinnie likes his privacy, so does Alex. But, something about this doesn’t feel right. Especially knowing that Vinnie’s disappearance happened right after 5 dead bodies and a plane filled with bags of marijuana were found at the nearby Newberry Airport. Once Alex realizes that Vinnie’s cousin, Buck, is also missing Alex knows for sure that Vinnie is in some kind of trouble because 1) Buck is always looking for easy work that will net him a lot of money with little effort and 2) Vinnie would do anything to help his cousin.
The plane, we learn, is a part of a new drug trade taking place across the US/Canada border. This new operation is dangerous, think Mexican cartels. They’ll stop at nothing to protect their turf. But there is at least one too many crime bosses in this operation, and Vinnie and Buck are in real danger. When Vinnie's estranged father shows up at Alex’s place wanting to help his son things get even stranger. Lou has been in prison for the last 25 years and Vinnie has no love for the man.
As always, the story is told in the first person by McKnight, a curmudgeonly, sarcastic, likable enough guy who makes a credible hero. It is well paced and the details are engrossing with good supporting characters. This is a fun series with plenty of action and twists and turns. This is book 9 in the series and, I’m sorry to say, my least favorite. I thought about 3 stars but settled on 4 because, in general, I really like the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#EmptyNestReader #instagram #DieAStranger #SteveHamilton #AlexMcKnightNovels #MinotaurBooks #mysteryfiction #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramalabama #bookstagrammichigan #bookreviews #bookreviewer #bookrecommendations #AugustReads #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #librarybooks #AADLGram #AnnArborDistrictLibrary
September 8, 2024
I have read most of the Alex McKnight series. I read the Da Vinci Code whilst travelling to Fiji, it was the first book I had read in years. I really enjoyed reading it. At a hostel in Fiji they had a free book swap. I swapped the Da Vinci code for an Alex McKnight novel. Despite what people say, I always choose books firstly based on the cover which I did this time, then I read the back and saw it was set close to places I’ve been to and love so I gave it a go. I was hooked, now have most of the series on my book shelf still 20 years later.
May 20, 2019
If it's about Michigan, I'm a fan (although I'd be a Hamilton fan no matter what he wrote about). This one was not only in Michigan, but a lot of it took place in Mt Pleasant, where I actually lived for several years and still go through often. (A couple of minor details--there is no 5 Guys on Pickard, nor anywhere in Mt. P that I'm aware of, but great way to avoid any kind of liability! And although Pickard is a major street/state highway, it's not the main street of downtown.) Try to do better, Steve!! :) :) :)
Very fun read, as is this entire series. Thumbs up.
Very fun read, as is this entire series. Thumbs up.
May 13, 2016
PROTAGONIST: Alex McKnight
SETTING: Michigan
SERIES: #9 of 9
RATING: 4.75
Drug dealing operations originating out of Canada have become more and more creative. In the latest twist, drugs are being flown in to small airfields in Michigan. The plane lands, the drugs are unloaded, and the plane departs in a matter of minutes. But this time something has gone terribly wrong, with several of the local smugglers being killed. AnOjibwa Indian named Buck Carrick is somehow involved and has disappeared, possibly aided by his cousin, Vinnie LeBlanc, who has also gone missing. It appears that Buck may have been the only witness to what happened, and the bad guys are in hot pursuit.
Vinnie’s mother has just died; and his estranged father, Lou, returned to the area to pay his respects and settle some emotional business. It’s been many years since Lou was a part of Vinnie’s life. Lou has spent several years in jail and isn’t someone that is welcomed back home by his family or the members of the Ojibwa reservation. He’s trying to make amends and partners up with Vinnie’s best friend, Alex McKnight, to find Vinnie and Buck. They make a formidable team, with the skills of the former policeman and the ex-con complementing each other.
DIE A STRANGER is an excellent book in every way. The characterizations are powerful—we learn much about the continuing characters and the portrayal of Vinnie’s father and his contentious relationship with his family is extremely well done. The plot moves along rapidly, with the suspense building all along the way. Hamilton has a smooth writing style that makes the narrative flow, and the dialogue is very realistic. The book has lots of action and twists, but it also has an emotional core that moves it beyond standard fare. The only flaw for me was a deal that Alex struck with a drug kingpin that didn’t seem at all plausible.
Hamilton is the rare author whose books always work for me, whether they be part of this series that I love or a standalone, such as THE LOCK ARTIST. He has been on my list of favorite writers ever since A COLD DAY IN PARADISE; and based on what he’s written so far, I don’t expect that he’ll ever fall off.
SETTING: Michigan
SERIES: #9 of 9
RATING: 4.75
Drug dealing operations originating out of Canada have become more and more creative. In the latest twist, drugs are being flown in to small airfields in Michigan. The plane lands, the drugs are unloaded, and the plane departs in a matter of minutes. But this time something has gone terribly wrong, with several of the local smugglers being killed. AnOjibwa Indian named Buck Carrick is somehow involved and has disappeared, possibly aided by his cousin, Vinnie LeBlanc, who has also gone missing. It appears that Buck may have been the only witness to what happened, and the bad guys are in hot pursuit.
Vinnie’s mother has just died; and his estranged father, Lou, returned to the area to pay his respects and settle some emotional business. It’s been many years since Lou was a part of Vinnie’s life. Lou has spent several years in jail and isn’t someone that is welcomed back home by his family or the members of the Ojibwa reservation. He’s trying to make amends and partners up with Vinnie’s best friend, Alex McKnight, to find Vinnie and Buck. They make a formidable team, with the skills of the former policeman and the ex-con complementing each other.
DIE A STRANGER is an excellent book in every way. The characterizations are powerful—we learn much about the continuing characters and the portrayal of Vinnie’s father and his contentious relationship with his family is extremely well done. The plot moves along rapidly, with the suspense building all along the way. Hamilton has a smooth writing style that makes the narrative flow, and the dialogue is very realistic. The book has lots of action and twists, but it also has an emotional core that moves it beyond standard fare. The only flaw for me was a deal that Alex struck with a drug kingpin that didn’t seem at all plausible.
Hamilton is the rare author whose books always work for me, whether they be part of this series that I love or a standalone, such as THE LOCK ARTIST. He has been on my list of favorite writers ever since A COLD DAY IN PARADISE; and based on what he’s written so far, I don’t expect that he’ll ever fall off.
September 10, 2012
SPOILER!
Two stars means "it was OK".
And it was. This was not the weakest book of the series but ranks right next to it. For a good part of the book it was simply two guys driving around MI looking for two other guys. It was maddening. When the author finally dropped that, the story picked up a bit. In all, there was little mystery or suspense. The dialogue stalls quite a lot and is downright inane in places. This author has continuing issues with dialogue in many of his books. Not a strong point for him, but after this many books, he should have it figured out.
When you stand back and look at this story, it is totally unlikely. McKnight and Lou, the other guy driving around the state, simply find out things and detect, and get law enforcement cooperation under the table all over the place. It's unlikely and really stretches reality when you think about it.
Here's the spoiler. At one point the group of men travel back to the farmhouse where the drug dealers live. They know that the crazy, murdering drug lord is on his way there. They know that the crazy murdering drug lord is LOOKING FOR THEM. And they have no good reason for being there. McKnight's only explanation is that he "has to know". Silly. Impossible. No one would risk four lives just to look. And what do they find? Of course the drug dealers are murdered in a horrible way. The author threw this one in just to let us know that the real bad guys got what they deserved. A really dumb plot ploy.
I have read all of this series. And I think this will be my last. The author is taking this character nowhere and seems to have exhausted him. Time to let Alex McKnight retire to his cabins in the woods.
Two stars means "it was OK".
And it was. This was not the weakest book of the series but ranks right next to it. For a good part of the book it was simply two guys driving around MI looking for two other guys. It was maddening. When the author finally dropped that, the story picked up a bit. In all, there was little mystery or suspense. The dialogue stalls quite a lot and is downright inane in places. This author has continuing issues with dialogue in many of his books. Not a strong point for him, but after this many books, he should have it figured out.
When you stand back and look at this story, it is totally unlikely. McKnight and Lou, the other guy driving around the state, simply find out things and detect, and get law enforcement cooperation under the table all over the place. It's unlikely and really stretches reality when you think about it.
Here's the spoiler. At one point the group of men travel back to the farmhouse where the drug dealers live. They know that the crazy, murdering drug lord is on his way there. They know that the crazy murdering drug lord is LOOKING FOR THEM. And they have no good reason for being there. McKnight's only explanation is that he "has to know". Silly. Impossible. No one would risk four lives just to look. And what do they find? Of course the drug dealers are murdered in a horrible way. The author threw this one in just to let us know that the real bad guys got what they deserved. A really dumb plot ploy.
I have read all of this series. And I think this will be my last. The author is taking this character nowhere and seems to have exhausted him. Time to let Alex McKnight retire to his cabins in the woods.
September 28, 2012
Synopsis: Alex's buddy Vinnie, an Ojibwa tribal member and recovering alcoholic, disappears after his mother passes away and he relapses with several drinks. Alex must find what happened to him and if it has anything to do with several men being killed in a drug trade that Vinnie's name has come up with. To make matters worse, a man has just shown up claiming to be Vinnie's father, which is funny since Vinnie was told all his life that his father was dead. Alex must figure everything out before it is too late and Alex loses his best friend.
My rating: 3.5 Stars
My opinion: Alright, I must come clean. I am a HUGE Steve Hamilton fan. Love his books and stalk him quite a bit! Knock on wood, no restraining orders yet! He is an author whose books are preordered from Amazon as soon as I am able. I would say that he places in my top 3 favorite contemporary authors and I am always snooping around to see when the next Alex McKnight book is being released. I go into his books with 5 stars and work my way down from there. So, there might be some bias to this review, but I wouldn't let that stop you from enjoying Hamilton's works.
On that note, I was not as sucked into this book as I have been to the other 8. The other books, no questions asked garnered 4 and 5 star reviews from me. On this novel, however, I felt like there was almost a disconnect in this storyline and it passed WAY too quickly. The traditional Hamilton writing quality was still there, but his "passion" of character felt like it was missing on this one. Gotta say though that there were some unexpected twists, although, as my husband said, he knew it would wrap up with a nice red ribbon and it did.
My rating: 3.5 Stars
My opinion: Alright, I must come clean. I am a HUGE Steve Hamilton fan. Love his books and stalk him quite a bit! Knock on wood, no restraining orders yet! He is an author whose books are preordered from Amazon as soon as I am able. I would say that he places in my top 3 favorite contemporary authors and I am always snooping around to see when the next Alex McKnight book is being released. I go into his books with 5 stars and work my way down from there. So, there might be some bias to this review, but I wouldn't let that stop you from enjoying Hamilton's works.
On that note, I was not as sucked into this book as I have been to the other 8. The other books, no questions asked garnered 4 and 5 star reviews from me. On this novel, however, I felt like there was almost a disconnect in this storyline and it passed WAY too quickly. The traditional Hamilton writing quality was still there, but his "passion" of character felt like it was missing on this one. Gotta say though that there were some unexpected twists, although, as my husband said, he knew it would wrap up with a nice red ribbon and it did.
March 28, 2013
My earliest foray into mystery fiction involved the usual: Hammett, Chandler, Thompson—i.e. the progenitors of the hardboiled and noir. Although I still love this sub-genre, I find too many novels these days try and mimic the style instead of progressing it. Lucky for me Steve Hamilton is here to light the way. The Alex McKnight series has been one of my newest and best discoveries. Instead of the gritty urban settings of similar greats (Connelly, Estleman, Crais, etc.), McKnight operates in the cold reaches of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Hamilton’s style is one of restrained lyricism and darker-than-average plotlines. He doesn’t stray into the slightly supernatural area of Connolly’s Charlie Parker, but it gets close. The beauty of the rural setting allows for a certain amount of creepiness to reside in the empty spaces and heighten the tension of each story. For those of you who have not read him, Die a Stranger is an excellent way to get started. It’s Alex McKnight at his best and reads more like a standalone novel than an entry in the series. Hamilton is a two-time Edgar Award Winner (for his first novel and first in the McKnight series, A Cold Day in Paradise, and for his 2009 standalone title, The Lock Artist) so his name should come as no surprise. But if you have yet to give him a shot, now is the time. Great hardboiled heroes don’t come along every day, you know. --Ian
June 27, 2012
Won this on a GoodReads Giveaway! Starting today, I think this will be a good one.
I really wanted to like this book, I did. It just wasn't that great. I feel bad because I won this book and want to be nice, but, alas...
There was no suspense. It was just a story about two guys trying to find thei friend/son, so it was kind of boring. These two don't run into a lot of problems and when they do there is nothing that leads up to the action, if you can even call it action.
The author would have done better had he given you perspective on what the antagonists were doing at the time that the guys were trying to find Vinnie. The other characters in the book were not even introduced to the reader until the protagnoists made contact with them, so of course there was no "whodonit" anticipation in this book.
Sadly disappointing. I can't recommend this book.
I really wanted to like this book, I did. It just wasn't that great. I feel bad because I won this book and want to be nice, but, alas...
There was no suspense. It was just a story about two guys trying to find thei friend/son, so it was kind of boring. These two don't run into a lot of problems and when they do there is nothing that leads up to the action, if you can even call it action.
The author would have done better had he given you perspective on what the antagonists were doing at the time that the guys were trying to find Vinnie. The other characters in the book were not even introduced to the reader until the protagnoists made contact with them, so of course there was no "whodonit" anticipation in this book.
Sadly disappointing. I can't recommend this book.
June 13, 2016
Another chapter in the Alex McKnight series. This time Alex’s best friend Vinnie LeBlanc goes missing—where could he be? Vinnie is Ojibwa—could he have gone to another Ojibwa reservation? Or is it related to five drug-related deaths found next to a plane that landed on a remote airstrip in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? Or is he just grieving his mother’s recent death? Alex will sort it out—eventually.
December 30, 2015
This is my first Steve Hamilton novel. I enjoyed the character, the plot and location. Living in the desert, I am not familiar with the UP in Michigan. I think I was there once as a child. The Ojibwa nation has interesting contrasts to the desert peoples. I will probably go back and read some of Hamilton's earlier works featuring Alex McKnight.
September 19, 2016
Gawd, this was terrible. I've read one other Alex McKnight book, and it was slightly more tolerable, although I found myself with a similarly maddening irritation with the main character. This book was worse.
There is no ah ha! moment, no suspense, no thrill, just pages and pages of fluff. Even the cold blooded drug dealers are soft. Safe yourself, move on.
There is no ah ha! moment, no suspense, no thrill, just pages and pages of fluff. Even the cold blooded drug dealers are soft. Safe yourself, move on.
October 6, 2012
I have read all 10 of Hamilton's books. That says something right there. They are enjoyable, what I call lightweight suspense, that hold your interest with intriguing characters and plots. I recommend these books to everyone.
July 23, 2012
Great story. Really enjoyed reading it. I grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, so was very interested with the references made by Steve regarding specific locations and information on Sault Ste. Marie. I will be reading more of Steve Hamilton's books as they come out.
December 20, 2019
Great read. Love Alex McKnight almost as much as Virgil Flowers (Sanders). He notices his friend Vinnie is not home after an unusual night of drinking, it is July in the UP and unusually warm as he goes off in search of his friend.
May 16, 2016
I like this book least of the ones I have read in this series . If you want to start the Alex MicKnight books , begin with 'A Cold Day in Paradise ' , which is excellent .
May 1, 2020
It takes good writing to turn a non-believer into a believer. Steve Hamilton's DIE A STRANGER is one of the books in the Alex McKnight series that turned me into a committed reader. I didn't enjoy the first two books in the series, but the third book peaked my interest enough to keep me reading until the second last book in the series (for some reason, the last book as at writing this review, Dead Man Running (2018) is not available in kindle). Overall the Alex McKnight series is good entertainment. The quality of the books is erratic, ranging from the excellence of Blood is the Sky, A Stolen Season and Die a Stranger to the plodding Let it Burn.
Here is a brief review of each book in the series:
A Cold Day in Paradise 1* see my full review for this book
Winter of the Wolf Moon 2,5* see my full review for this book
The Hunting Wind 3* Starting to enjoy this series and to get to know the characters better. Vinnie le Blanc is a favourite; Alex is still somewhat irritating as a bumbling ex-cop who somehow has the luck to solve mysteries that official channels can't.
North of Nowhere 3* Enjoyed this book enough to decide to buy the rest of the series.
Blood is the Sky 4* Goodness! What a tense and exciting story.
Ice Run 3* Enjoyable & entertaining. Alex still exasperates me at times, but now I've grown fond of him.
A Stolen Season 4* Fast-paced story, gripping tension and a story in which Alex shows depth & complexity. Highly enjoyable read.
Beneath the Book Tower 1* Awful.
Misery Bay 3* Entertaining read. Interesting to see the development between Chief Mavern and Alex.
Die a Stranger 4* Brilliant, gripping, fast-paced, with a hard edge that added to the tension. Lou le Blanc was a great secondary character - complex and interesting.
Let It Burn 1* Such a disappointment after the excellence of DIE A STRANGER & others. Formulaic, tired, too much repetitive detail which slowed the story to a yawn-making speed. The back-story flash backs didn't work and contributed to slowing the pace. The killer was obvious from the first appearance. Alex McKnight belongs in Paradise; taking him out of his milieu didn't work - he needs his cast of secondary characters to add depth and interest.
Here is a brief review of each book in the series:
A Cold Day in Paradise 1* see my full review for this book
Winter of the Wolf Moon 2,5* see my full review for this book
The Hunting Wind 3* Starting to enjoy this series and to get to know the characters better. Vinnie le Blanc is a favourite; Alex is still somewhat irritating as a bumbling ex-cop who somehow has the luck to solve mysteries that official channels can't.
North of Nowhere 3* Enjoyed this book enough to decide to buy the rest of the series.
Blood is the Sky 4* Goodness! What a tense and exciting story.
Ice Run 3* Enjoyable & entertaining. Alex still exasperates me at times, but now I've grown fond of him.
A Stolen Season 4* Fast-paced story, gripping tension and a story in which Alex shows depth & complexity. Highly enjoyable read.
Beneath the Book Tower 1* Awful.
Misery Bay 3* Entertaining read. Interesting to see the development between Chief Mavern and Alex.
Die a Stranger 4* Brilliant, gripping, fast-paced, with a hard edge that added to the tension. Lou le Blanc was a great secondary character - complex and interesting.
Let It Burn 1* Such a disappointment after the excellence of DIE A STRANGER & others. Formulaic, tired, too much repetitive detail which slowed the story to a yawn-making speed. The back-story flash backs didn't work and contributed to slowing the pace. The killer was obvious from the first appearance. Alex McKnight belongs in Paradise; taking him out of his milieu didn't work - he needs his cast of secondary characters to add depth and interest.
August 18, 2024
_Die a Stranger_ by Steve Hamilton is the 9th book in the Alex McKnight mystery series (book 8 according to Audible, where I listened to it, narrated by the amazing Dan John Miller, one of my favorite audiobook narrators). In this installment, two seemingly unconnected events occur early on. One, there is a drug deal gone bad in a town on the Upper Peninsula, Newberry, at a deserted airstrip out in the woods. A plane landed in the middle of the night carrying smuggled high-quality marijuana from Canada, and something happened that resulted in a shoot-out and five dead bodies found the next morning. Also, Alex’s neighbor and best friend Vinnie LeBlanc has gone missing and soon after that Alex discovers Vinnie’s cousin Buck is also missing.
At first Alex, Jackie, even Vinnie’s family doesn’t think foul play with the two missing members of the Ojibwa tribe. Buck goes missing all the time, kind of floats around, and Vinnie, though super dependable, lost his mother very early on in the book and is having a really hard time of it. Her death stirred up a lot of soul searching in Vinnie, about his mother, his father (in prison and also estranged), and Vinnie even takes up drinking again, at least for one night. Though almost everyone thinks Vinnie is grieving and just needs time, Jackie and Alex aren’t so sure and can’t shake the feeling their disappearance has something to do with the drug dealer shoutout at that backwater airport about 40 minutes away. Even if it doesn't have anything to do with it, Alex and Jackie are worried about Vinnie.
It isn’t long before Alex finds out he and Jackie aren’t being paranoid and the two events are connected. Though Jackie supports Alex’s investigations early on, a whole new character accompanies Alex through the adventure to find Vinnie and Buck. I won’t spoil who the character is, but his reveal does add some real depth to the background of one of the reoccurring characters in the series.
I liked the new character, I liked how we got to see yet another new to the series parts of Michigan not shown before, I appreciated the twists and turns, and the ending was surprising. I was surprised how we hardly saw any of the series regulars in the series, with Jackie in a few chapters early on and then at the end, and two other regulars towards the end, but two others were completely absent. It seems much of the book is investigating and not a lot happens other than slowly getting more information about where Vinnie and Buck might be, but then when things start happening, a lot happens, and it is very dark and violent. There is some real blowback from this mystery that looks like it will have a permanent effect on Alex’s life. Be interesting to see how later books explore that.
At first Alex, Jackie, even Vinnie’s family doesn’t think foul play with the two missing members of the Ojibwa tribe. Buck goes missing all the time, kind of floats around, and Vinnie, though super dependable, lost his mother very early on in the book and is having a really hard time of it. Her death stirred up a lot of soul searching in Vinnie, about his mother, his father (in prison and also estranged), and Vinnie even takes up drinking again, at least for one night. Though almost everyone thinks Vinnie is grieving and just needs time, Jackie and Alex aren’t so sure and can’t shake the feeling their disappearance has something to do with the drug dealer shoutout at that backwater airport about 40 minutes away. Even if it doesn't have anything to do with it, Alex and Jackie are worried about Vinnie.
It isn’t long before Alex finds out he and Jackie aren’t being paranoid and the two events are connected. Though Jackie supports Alex’s investigations early on, a whole new character accompanies Alex through the adventure to find Vinnie and Buck. I won’t spoil who the character is, but his reveal does add some real depth to the background of one of the reoccurring characters in the series.
I liked the new character, I liked how we got to see yet another new to the series parts of Michigan not shown before, I appreciated the twists and turns, and the ending was surprising. I was surprised how we hardly saw any of the series regulars in the series, with Jackie in a few chapters early on and then at the end, and two other regulars towards the end, but two others were completely absent. It seems much of the book is investigating and not a lot happens other than slowly getting more information about where Vinnie and Buck might be, but then when things start happening, a lot happens, and it is very dark and violent. There is some real blowback from this mystery that looks like it will have a permanent effect on Alex’s life. Be interesting to see how later books explore that.
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