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Lute Bapcat #2
Mountains of the Misbegotten
Mountains of the Misbegotten( A Lute Bapcat Mystery) Hardcover JosephHeywood LyonsPress
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Joseph Heywood
50 books189 followersSee also Joe T. Heywood
Joseph Heywood is the son of a career USAF officer. His dad was from Rhinecliff, New York on the Hudson River in Dutchess County, and his mother is from Mize, Mississippi in Sullivan County. His mother’s maiden name was Hegwood and she had only to change one letter to convert to her married name.
He is a 1961 graduate of Rudyard High School in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Chippewa County). Played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track.
1965 graduate of Michigan State University (BA-Journalism). Joseph played on the Michigan State Lacrosse Club for three years, crease attack, tri-captain in 1965. He was in the last class of mandatory ROTC for land grant universities and predictably chose the Air Force.
In 1965, he married Sandra V. Heywood (1943-2002) of East Lansing. Five children, one dog. Widower.
1965-1970, USAF Instructor Navigator, KC-135 tanker, honorably discharged as captain. Vietnam veteran. Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Graduate studies, Western Michigan University, 1974-75, completed course work for MA in English Literature; no degree.
Joseph worked for The Upjohn Company [now Pfizer], 1970-2000, retiring as vice president for worldwide public relations.
He walks every day in all weather conditions, and have hunted and fished Michigan since 1958, mostly alone.
Joseph Heywood's Woods Cop mysteries are based on the lives of Upper Peninsula conservation officers, and for going on seven years has spent about one month a year on patrol with officers, in all kinds of weather, all times of day and under sundry conditions. He worked in all 15 Upper Peninsula Counties as well as in another 15-16 counties BTB (Below the Bridge).
In preparation for work with COs, he often hikes alone at night (flashlight for emergencies) using only ambient light. He has spent nights alone in jungles and on mountains. Has canoe-camped in Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas, over the years he has had one close encounter with a wolf (six feet away in tag alders on the Iron River), and with a cow elk and her calf (in Idaho). Too many close meetings with black bears to count, no injuries.
He loves to take photographs while walking, hiking and fishing, and use some of the pix for his paintings.
Joseph always carry a ruck with emergency equipment, compass, etc. even for short sorties on foot in the U.P. It’s too easy to get under cedars and old growth in an overcast and get hopelessly turned around. He does not use a GPS. "When it comes to lost in the woods there seem to be two categories of people: Them that have been and them that will be. Iron ore deposits can make compass navigation interesting…."
The Upper Peninsula is not just a setting and base for Joseph Heywood but serves as a character in many of his novels. "When I write, I try to take readers to places and events in the U.P. they might not have occasion to visit or experience on their own. For me, the U.P. is a natural jewel and I am always surprised by how little people from BTB know about it."
"The day we arrived in the U.P. to report to Kinross Air Force Base (later renamed Kincheloe, and since decommissioned) my mother cried as we drove up the several-mile two-lane to the front gate; looking at all the woods passing by, I had a feeling I was coming home."
Joseph Heywood is the son of a career USAF officer. His dad was from Rhinecliff, New York on the Hudson River in Dutchess County, and his mother is from Mize, Mississippi in Sullivan County. His mother’s maiden name was Hegwood and she had only to change one letter to convert to her married name.
He is a 1961 graduate of Rudyard High School in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Chippewa County). Played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track.
1965 graduate of Michigan State University (BA-Journalism). Joseph played on the Michigan State Lacrosse Club for three years, crease attack, tri-captain in 1965. He was in the last class of mandatory ROTC for land grant universities and predictably chose the Air Force.
In 1965, he married Sandra V. Heywood (1943-2002) of East Lansing. Five children, one dog. Widower.
1965-1970, USAF Instructor Navigator, KC-135 tanker, honorably discharged as captain. Vietnam veteran. Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Graduate studies, Western Michigan University, 1974-75, completed course work for MA in English Literature; no degree.
Joseph worked for The Upjohn Company [now Pfizer], 1970-2000, retiring as vice president for worldwide public relations.
He walks every day in all weather conditions, and have hunted and fished Michigan since 1958, mostly alone.
Joseph Heywood's Woods Cop mysteries are based on the lives of Upper Peninsula conservation officers, and for going on seven years has spent about one month a year on patrol with officers, in all kinds of weather, all times of day and under sundry conditions. He worked in all 15 Upper Peninsula Counties as well as in another 15-16 counties BTB (Below the Bridge).
In preparation for work with COs, he often hikes alone at night (flashlight for emergencies) using only ambient light. He has spent nights alone in jungles and on mountains. Has canoe-camped in Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas, over the years he has had one close encounter with a wolf (six feet away in tag alders on the Iron River), and with a cow elk and her calf (in Idaho). Too many close meetings with black bears to count, no injuries.
He loves to take photographs while walking, hiking and fishing, and use some of the pix for his paintings.
Joseph always carry a ruck with emergency equipment, compass, etc. even for short sorties on foot in the U.P. It’s too easy to get under cedars and old growth in an overcast and get hopelessly turned around. He does not use a GPS. "When it comes to lost in the woods there seem to be two categories of people: Them that have been and them that will be. Iron ore deposits can make compass navigation interesting…."
The Upper Peninsula is not just a setting and base for Joseph Heywood but serves as a character in many of his novels. "When I write, I try to take readers to places and events in the U.P. they might not have occasion to visit or experience on their own. For me, the U.P. is a natural jewel and I am always surprised by how little people from BTB know about it."
"The day we arrived in the U.P. to report to Kinross Air Force Base (later renamed Kincheloe, and since decommissioned) my mother cried as we drove up the several-mile two-lane to the front gate; looking at all the woods passing by, I had a feeling I was coming home."
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 15, 2018
A early Conservation Officer, Lute Bapcat, is kinda embroiled in a 3 prong operation. The story takes place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in 1914. I enjoy reading this books when I am up here on vacation and love it when I know the places they are talking about. But that is just me. If you enjoy unique characters, different settings, and a dash of history, you will enjoy this series.
February 5, 2018
This mystery takes place around one hundred years ago in the UP. The main character is a game warden in search of another missing warden. I liked the plot but for some reason, I found the story often confusing.
June 6, 2021
The dialogue was difficult to follow at times, especially when Phin was talking but the characters were very rich and full of life, complete with warts and quirks. The story has several turns and twists along the way but everything got pulled together finally.
August 6, 2017
Addictive
When is the third book due out. These two characters are great together and let us not forget Joe or a three legged dog. Adventure at every turn a must read
When is the third book due out. These two characters are great together and let us not forget Joe or a three legged dog. Adventure at every turn a must read
July 23, 2016
#2 in the Lute Bapcat series. This series entry takes place in 1914. Lute grew up in St. Cazimer's Orphanage where he was given his name, short for Lutheran Baptist Catholic. His childhood enemy Henry Young, now known as Red Hair is the leader of a murderous gang and Lute receives orders to enlist as many deputies as necessary to capture him. Lute is already in search of a missing game warden and it looks as though his two missions have some commonality.
Lute Bapcat mystery - former Rough Rider turned Michigan game warden Lute Bapcat sets out to find a deputy warden who has disappeared from Ontonagon County, one of the Michigan Upper Peninsula's most lawless places. Merely hours into his search, Bapcat is shot by assailants unknown. After a miraculous rescue and recovery aided by mysterious caretakers, Bapcat uncovers a plan by powerful locals to capture and sell bears to zoos around the country. The game warden's determination to break up the scheme ratchets up when it seems his missing colleague may have authored the idea and employed the help of an outlaw called Red Hair, who had been raised in the same orphanage with Bapcat. Red Hair's gang of thugs have long terrorized the region. Bapcat must use all of his woodcraft to brave the Trap Hills and Porcupine Mountains and to face the criminals at the old Nonesuch Mine. Zakov the Russian--Bapcat's eccentric game warden partner--is brought in to help with the hunt.
Lute Bapcat mystery - former Rough Rider turned Michigan game warden Lute Bapcat sets out to find a deputy warden who has disappeared from Ontonagon County, one of the Michigan Upper Peninsula's most lawless places. Merely hours into his search, Bapcat is shot by assailants unknown. After a miraculous rescue and recovery aided by mysterious caretakers, Bapcat uncovers a plan by powerful locals to capture and sell bears to zoos around the country. The game warden's determination to break up the scheme ratchets up when it seems his missing colleague may have authored the idea and employed the help of an outlaw called Red Hair, who had been raised in the same orphanage with Bapcat. Red Hair's gang of thugs have long terrorized the region. Bapcat must use all of his woodcraft to brave the Trap Hills and Porcupine Mountains and to face the criminals at the old Nonesuch Mine. Zakov the Russian--Bapcat's eccentric game warden partner--is brought in to help with the hunt.
December 9, 2014
Mountains of the Misbegotten is very appropriately named. Joseph Heywood describes in detail the rugged country, rough men, and fallen women who populated the upper peninsula of Michigan just before WW1. One of the fascinating features of this novel is the names Heywood used. The main character is Lute Bapcat, a former Rough Rider and now one of the first Game Wardens for the state. He is sent into the region originally to find a missing game warden, but the story and complexity of the intrigue involves multilayers of near-do-wells, crooks, murderers and worse. The writers description of the country and the people almost makes you feel the pain and isolation of the area.
Back to the names, there is a young woman named Rinka Isohultamaki. The head of the Michigan Game and Fish is Horri Harju (I do not believe it is a coincident that the head of Biological Services for the Wyoming Fish and Game is Harry Harju).
This is the first book of Heywood's that I have read. It will not be the last.
Bruce
Back to the names, there is a young woman named Rinka Isohultamaki. The head of the Michigan Game and Fish is Horri Harju (I do not believe it is a coincident that the head of Biological Services for the Wyoming Fish and Game is Harry Harju).
This is the first book of Heywood's that I have read. It will not be the last.
Bruce
April 27, 2015
This book was a reasonably good mystery tale. However, I didn't find it as much fun to read as Heywood's Woodscop (Grady Service) series. Lute Bapcat was more likable in the first book (Red Jacket) and that book really gave a great history lesson of the copper mine strikes in the U.P. This one lacked the historical value. Joe introduced so many new characters and tried to describe so much of the landscape of the U.P. that he often left you forgetting what the story was about. The traditional U.P. vernacular was often hard to understand, as it can be in real life, and it made for hard reading, specially when frequent French and German phrases get thrown in. I studied German, but not French; I live in Michigan; it was still hard to grasp. Bapcat is always in doubt of himself and there seems to be a lot of bickering going on between him and other characters. There are no joyful or amusing moments to take the stress out of the story. I like Joe's other series better.
December 26, 2014
I am only about a quarter of the way through the book, but am enjoying Heywood's, what has become a hallmark, eclectic cast of characters. With the Lute Babcat character, and a few others, he has taken a foray into a more colorful patois reminiscent of a fractured Shakespearean English. A favorite book of mine for dialog is Sisters Brothers, by Patrick DeWitt and the dialog approaches that. I'm comfortable enough writing a review before I have finished to recommend it. Most of his books are fairly predictable in outcome, but it is the journey that makes it delightful.
It didn't disappoint. Although Heywood intersperses his views on conservation, he is not heavy-handed. I used to think I wouldn't enjoy his first books, but enjoy his style enough to expand the net and I am looking forward to his next book.
It didn't disappoint. Although Heywood intersperses his views on conservation, he is not heavy-handed. I used to think I wouldn't enjoy his first books, but enjoy his style enough to expand the net and I am looking forward to his next book.
February 25, 2015
Lute Bapcat, an early version of a "woods cop" in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, has just finished dealing with the height of the Copper Mine strike in the Keweenaw when he is sent south, to territory near the Wisconsin border to find out what happened to the cop who was assigned to that territory. What starts out as a seemingly straightforward missing person case becomes more and more entangled with other strange and deadly goings on in that wild, unsettled and nearly ungovernable area. An assassination in Sarajevo and the drums of war are mere whispers in the wind in this part of the world. An unlikely and twisted cast of characters makes this a fun read as he enlists the help of various loners, outcasts and undercover lawmen to help him take down a dangerous and unruly gang and, as a byproduct, perhaps solve the mystery he was sent there to explore.
April 9, 2016
His novels are complex crime in the wilderness, with lots of quirky characters who have quirky names & personalities. The best thing, for me, about his novels are that they are set in the Copper Country in the early 1900's. Very real and I can tell because not much has really changed here, in a good way, mostly. This second in the Lute Bapcat series finds him traveling to Ontonagon County to find a missing game warden. He finds resistance galore and more mystery than he bargained for.
October 1, 2014
Excellent! I felt as if I was there, along the journey. Loved the characters that the protagonist interacts with. Thanks to Heywood for another great novel that gives us a glimpse of the old days in Michigan's conservation history.
June 18, 2015
A good read, and a step up from the first Lute Bapcat mystery. Engaging characters and I love reading about the UP.
June 8, 2015
another good story
November 27, 2015
I really like these books. the characters are fun and I love the area that the books take place in.
January 3, 2016
Fiction
March 30, 2017
Mystery that takes place in the western Upper Peninsula in the early 1900s. Really like the descriptions of places and basic story but found the number of characters and plot twists a bit confusing.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews