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Getting to Know Jack #2
Murder on Sugar Island: Kill or die quickly on this mysterious northern island
They thought their task was an easy one -- take a week off, drive north through Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsulas, perhaps enjoy some Mackinaw fudge on the way, claim a fabulous Sugar Island inheritance, and then go back home. However, nothing ever comes easy for retired Chicago Homicide Detective Jack Handler, and his daughter Kate, a well-respected New York City homicide detective. This latest adventure began when an attorney visited Kate at her Manhattan precinct. He informed her that she had been named in her uncle's will to inherit a successful resort less than ten miles from the Canadian border. Not wanting to make the trip by herself, she invited her father to accompany her, and he agreed. What she failed to tell him at first was that her uncle, whom she had not seen for nearly thirty years, had been killed-and that his murder had not been solved. During the course of their visit, they found themselves pursued by agents of the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, Canadian Border Patrol, and by local law enforcement. By the time they were ready to return, six more people were killed, a thirteen year-old red haired freckle face boy had become an integral part of their lives, and a twenty-year old crime got solved.
346 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2013
21 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Michael Carrier
35 books18 followersMichael has at different times in his life driven truck throughout the US, hustled pool from Texas to Montana, traveled the country hitchhiking, spent five years in Greenwich Village's East Side, delivered diamonds in New York's diamond district (disguised as a down-and-outer), tended bar at a New York nightclub, climbed dozens of water towers throughout the US, panned gold, skydived, and worked for over two decades in private security.
One of Mike's favorite hobbies is creating intricate puzzles. Since 1992 he has assumed the persona of "Mountain Mike." As this character, he hides a treasure (which is a ten dollar bill) somewhere around Grand Rapids, Michigan. He then every week publishes puzzles which contain clues as to the location of the treasure.
When a lucky sleuth finds the treasure, Mountain Mike buys it from him for $1000. So far, since 1992, Mike has rewarded seven such treasure hunters.
Currently Michael lives with his wife in a house on Lake Superior. His mailing address is Paradise, MI.
One of Mike's favorite hobbies is creating intricate puzzles. Since 1992 he has assumed the persona of "Mountain Mike." As this character, he hides a treasure (which is a ten dollar bill) somewhere around Grand Rapids, Michigan. He then every week publishes puzzles which contain clues as to the location of the treasure.
When a lucky sleuth finds the treasure, Mountain Mike buys it from him for $1000. So far, since 1992, Mike has rewarded seven such treasure hunters.
Currently Michael lives with his wife in a house on Lake Superior. His mailing address is Paradise, MI.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 6, 2025
Killing Buddy, the dog, did absolutely nothing to further develop the story. It is a series but now it’s a one and done for me. Awful.
October 17, 2020
Some parts were intriguing.
Elementary descriptions. Awkward prose. Some parts got exciting but would jump to subjects with no segway. Many references to Soo Michigan. I did not like how he handled the dog part.
Elementary descriptions. Awkward prose. Some parts got exciting but would jump to subjects with no segway. Many references to Soo Michigan. I did not like how he handled the dog part.
March 6, 2015
Don't waste your time, not sure why I did! Simplistic writing, trite and cliche filled. No one thinks, they speak all their ideas aloud whether or not anyone else is around.
October 10, 2018
When his former brother-in-law is murdered on Sugar Island, Jack, a former Chicago PD homicide detective, and his daughter Kate, a current NYPD homicide detective, decide to go to pay their respects, check on Kate's inheritance and see how the small town cops are dealing with the murder.
Sometimes full of great descriptions and detail and with a good, solid opening that leaves you not wanting to put the book down, I eventually put the book down. What started out as some stilted dialogue early on to give the reader information, like Kate saying "Uncle Alex, Mom's brother [died],"--because Jack wouldn't know his wife's siblings or his own--devolved quickly into exposition by way of mansplaining. Things that should have been in narration, not dialogue, for the reader's own knowledge was turned into dialogue, Jack constantly explaining police homicide procedures to his NYPD homicide detective daughter. It was condescending and more than a little annoying. I held on for a while, hoping it would stop, but it kept going. I mean, if Kate would have rolled her eyes a few times and thought, "well, that's just dad," and ignored him, that would have been one thing, but she just came across as needing the information like she was unqualified for her job, even though it's established early on that she's a great detective.
Sometimes full of great descriptions and detail and with a good, solid opening that leaves you not wanting to put the book down, I eventually put the book down. What started out as some stilted dialogue early on to give the reader information, like Kate saying "Uncle Alex, Mom's brother [died],"--because Jack wouldn't know his wife's siblings or his own--devolved quickly into exposition by way of mansplaining. Things that should have been in narration, not dialogue, for the reader's own knowledge was turned into dialogue, Jack constantly explaining police homicide procedures to his NYPD homicide detective daughter. It was condescending and more than a little annoying. I held on for a while, hoping it would stop, but it kept going. I mean, if Kate would have rolled her eyes a few times and thought, "well, that's just dad," and ignored him, that would have been one thing, but she just came across as needing the information like she was unqualified for her job, even though it's established early on that she's a great detective.
April 12, 2022
Jack is retired from Chicago law enforcement, his daughter Kate currently works for NYPD. The story begins with Kate's uncle Alex being murder. Alex ran a resort on an island off the Michigan/Canadian border. Kate inherits the resort and the desire to solve the mystery of Alex's untimely death. Kate and her father Jack trip across the mighty Mac to be drawn into a suspenseful rollercoaster of events.
This books is not the first in the series but the first that I could get my hands on. It does a great job setting up the characters and making the reader to connect. I met this author locally, and I found a lot of times with self published authors, the books have a few editing errors, as with this case, but it didn't take away from the story at all. The story flowed smoothly and organized. The attention to detail and local topics were a bonus, I enjoy books about places I've been or areas I recognize, so to acknowledge that in a book it is a plus.
This story is part of a series, one of which I am looking forward to reading more from. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if your the passenger on a trip to the U.P. and you to are stopping for mackinaw fudge.
This books is not the first in the series but the first that I could get my hands on. It does a great job setting up the characters and making the reader to connect. I met this author locally, and I found a lot of times with self published authors, the books have a few editing errors, as with this case, but it didn't take away from the story at all. The story flowed smoothly and organized. The attention to detail and local topics were a bonus, I enjoy books about places I've been or areas I recognize, so to acknowledge that in a book it is a plus.
This story is part of a series, one of which I am looking forward to reading more from. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if your the passenger on a trip to the U.P. and you to are stopping for mackinaw fudge.
August 28, 2022
Blah. The writing style was simplistic, kept reexplaining what just occurred, there were some random additives that seemed pointless, and most of the book is in dialog with the characters explaining the actions of themselves or others. The plot was okay but the end was annoying. I mean I eye rolled when the reason for all the murder was for stolen art... I get it to a degree that is why no one could form a motive but it was never mentioned or even thrown out there it just seemed so random. I thought it was stupid to have Alex related to Red. Also, being from Michigan I don't think they paid appropriate tribute to Sugar Island and the U.P.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2024
I'm from Michigan, but never heard of Sugar Island before reading this book. Jack, a retired policeman and his daughter Kate, NYPD, travel to Sugar Island after learning Kate inherited a resort there from her uncle. However, her uncle's death is suspicious and they find themselves investigating his murder. Lots of twists and turns!
January 14, 2022
Great read
I have meet Michael twice and he highly recommend that I should read Sugar island first. I am glad I did. Michael you are a talented writer who held my I interest from the 1st chapter. I look forward to reading the rest of your books.
I have meet Michael twice and he highly recommend that I should read Sugar island first. I am glad I did. Michael you are a talented writer who held my I interest from the 1st chapter. I look forward to reading the rest of your books.
January 28, 2020
Excellent read. Cant wait to read the next one.
June 3, 2022
Loved this book and the author. An exciting mystery plot in the UP of Michigan. It was hard to put the book down. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
May 6, 2023
I didn't want to put the book down. Michael Carrier is becoming a favorite author of mine. Love all the twists and turn the book has taken.
June 22, 2023
Great book. Was hard to put down once I started reading it. I met the author at an event and he convinced me to start this series. Will be telling everyone I know about it!!
November 21, 2013
This book is a thriller that takes full advantage of the setting of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sugar Island. The two characters, Jack Handler and his daughter, Kate, were introduced in the first book in the series, Jack and the New York Death Mask, which I haven't read. Jack is a retired Chicago homicide detective who now works private security. After his wife, Beth, was murdered, Jack was left to raise their daughter alone. Kate is grown up now and has followed in her father's footsteps working in New York City as a homicide detective.
I feel like people are usually lying when they say about a book "I couldn't put it down" but this book is constructed so that it has a lot (72) of short chapters. It moves the story along very quickly so there is never a break in the action and, as a result, it actually was hard to find a place to stop and put it down.
I didn't realize until after I had finished the book that the reference on page 33 comparing a character in the book to Will Pope on the TV show "The Closer" is kind of an inside joke because J.K. Simmons, the actor who plays Will Pope, is a native of Michigan. Although the book's character actually might have compared better to Simmons' lesser-known character, Vern Schillinger, on HBO's OZ.
Here I go nit-picking again.
On page 101, Jack is talking to the sheriff on his cell phone. Jack hears a gun shot at other end of the line and the sheriff drops his phone. Then "Jack heard what sounded like a man picking up the sheriff's cell phone." Huh?
On page 294, Jack is called in to give a statement as a witness to a possible crime and is given a Miranda warning. Maybe in Michigan the cops warn everybody not to talk to them but, here in NY, it is the suspect in custody who is given the Miranda warning.
On page 297, it is explained that several men, who at first appeared to be suspicious because they repeatedly registered at a resort each time using different fake names, but it turns out that they are simply IT specialists visiting a local company. So now it's NOT suspicious?
On page 229-331, Jack gets a phone call out of the clear blue sky from a character who wasn't mentioned in this book at all. It is too painfully obvious that the only reason for the completely out-of-context phone call is to provide a segue to the next book.
The author has requested that readers compare him to Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, or James Patterson. The author is most like Michael Connelly because their first names are both Michael and, in his book, The Poet, Connelly also has a main character named Jack. On the other hand, Michal Carrier is older than David Baldacci and taller than James Patterson.
I feel like people are usually lying when they say about a book "I couldn't put it down" but this book is constructed so that it has a lot (72) of short chapters. It moves the story along very quickly so there is never a break in the action and, as a result, it actually was hard to find a place to stop and put it down.
I didn't realize until after I had finished the book that the reference on page 33 comparing a character in the book to Will Pope on the TV show "The Closer" is kind of an inside joke because J.K. Simmons, the actor who plays Will Pope, is a native of Michigan. Although the book's character actually might have compared better to Simmons' lesser-known character, Vern Schillinger, on HBO's OZ.
Here I go nit-picking again.
On page 101, Jack is talking to the sheriff on his cell phone. Jack hears a gun shot at other end of the line and the sheriff drops his phone. Then "Jack heard what sounded like a man picking up the sheriff's cell phone." Huh?
On page 294, Jack is called in to give a statement as a witness to a possible crime and is given a Miranda warning. Maybe in Michigan the cops warn everybody not to talk to them but, here in NY, it is the suspect in custody who is given the Miranda warning.
On page 297, it is explained that several men, who at first appeared to be suspicious because they repeatedly registered at a resort each time using different fake names, but it turns out that they are simply IT specialists visiting a local company. So now it's NOT suspicious?
On page 229-331, Jack gets a phone call out of the clear blue sky from a character who wasn't mentioned in this book at all. It is too painfully obvious that the only reason for the completely out-of-context phone call is to provide a segue to the next book.
The author has requested that readers compare him to Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, or James Patterson. The author is most like Michael Connelly because their first names are both Michael and, in his book, The Poet, Connelly also has a main character named Jack. On the other hand, Michal Carrier is older than David Baldacci and taller than James Patterson.
January 25, 2015
LOOKING FOR a mystery filled with suspense and mayhem? Then MURDER ON SUGAR ISLAND by Michael Carrier is the book for you! I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced, action-packed story. The FBI, Dept. of Homeland Security and local police are all on the case when Kate and Jack (daughter and father detectives from away) arrive on the Island to try to find out what happened to Uncle Alex. Not a dull moment with two big city detectives on the scene. Lots of surprises in store in this page-turner by Michael Carrier!
October 12, 2013
Reminded me of the writing of James Patterson. I enjoyed the setting of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Sugar Island because I live in the area. I felt the author did a good job of incorporating the local area and our interlinking law enforcement.
March 13, 2014
I read the first book in this series and thoroughly enjoyed it. So decided to check out this second book and loved it. Just loved the characters and the way they kept you guessing. Going to start on the third book now. Wonder how many more there will be.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews