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John Denson Mystery #3
Danse macabre
The clearest, coldest wafers imaginable are found in Oregon’s North Umpqua river in springtime.
Here, ex-intelligence agent John Denson goes to hook steelhead trout.
But instead, he finds himself entangled in a deadly net of international intrigue and conspiracy.
It all starts when the naked body of a girl with a bullet hole between her eyes goes rushing past Denson in the rapids.
He embarks on a search to find the girl's identity and bring her killer to justice.
Strange clues lead to three more corpses, bringing the body-count to four.
Could Denson be in danger of becoming the fifth?
What connects the bodies?
And who is killer?
As Denson embroils himself further into a web of deadly intrigue he realises everything is not as it seems...
To free himself, he will need all of his ingenuity and resourcefulness.
He will also need a whole lot of luck just to stay alive...
‘Cold Water’ is a thrilling private investigation starring John Denson. It was originally published as ‘Siskiyou’.
“One of the hottest mystery and suspense novelists to come down the gunbarrel in a decade.” — Oregon Magazine
“A pace as swift as the Umpqua.” — Publishers Weekly
“Nicely done.” — Houston Chronicle
“The Denson books … sophisticated, well-written and excellent examples of the genre.”
— The New York Times Book Review
Richard Hoyt has a B.S. and M.S. in journalism from the University of Oregon and a PhD in American studies from the University of Hawaii. He was a fellow in national and international editing and reporting at the Washington Journalism Center. He served as a counterintelligence agent for the U.S. Army before becoming a reporter for both the morning and afternoon daily newspapers in Honolulu; he was also the Honolulu correspondent for Newsweek magazine. He later taught journalism and writing courses at the University of Maryland and at Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
Here, ex-intelligence agent John Denson goes to hook steelhead trout.
But instead, he finds himself entangled in a deadly net of international intrigue and conspiracy.
It all starts when the naked body of a girl with a bullet hole between her eyes goes rushing past Denson in the rapids.
He embarks on a search to find the girl's identity and bring her killer to justice.
Strange clues lead to three more corpses, bringing the body-count to four.
Could Denson be in danger of becoming the fifth?
What connects the bodies?
And who is killer?
As Denson embroils himself further into a web of deadly intrigue he realises everything is not as it seems...
To free himself, he will need all of his ingenuity and resourcefulness.
He will also need a whole lot of luck just to stay alive...
‘Cold Water’ is a thrilling private investigation starring John Denson. It was originally published as ‘Siskiyou’.
“One of the hottest mystery and suspense novelists to come down the gunbarrel in a decade.” — Oregon Magazine
“A pace as swift as the Umpqua.” — Publishers Weekly
“Nicely done.” — Houston Chronicle
“The Denson books … sophisticated, well-written and excellent examples of the genre.”
— The New York Times Book Review
Richard Hoyt has a B.S. and M.S. in journalism from the University of Oregon and a PhD in American studies from the University of Hawaii. He was a fellow in national and international editing and reporting at the Washington Journalism Center. He served as a counterintelligence agent for the U.S. Army before becoming a reporter for both the morning and afternoon daily newspapers in Honolulu; he was also the Honolulu correspondent for Newsweek magazine. He later taught journalism and writing courses at the University of Maryland and at Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
183 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
24 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Richard Hoyt
55 books11 followersThe author of 27 mysteries and thrillers, I’m a former army counterintelligence agent, newspaper reporter, Newsweek writer and college professor with a PhD. in American studies. The New York Times included four of my titles on its annual notable books list. My novels include 10 John Denson Pacific Northwest mysteries and 10 James Burlane international thrillers. My John Denson mystery 30 for a Harry was nominated for a Shamus by the Private Eye Writers of America and Siege won the American Mystery Award for best espionage novel. The French publisher Gallimard published Trotsky’s Run as a Serie Noir best-of-the best title. I’ve been widely published in British commonwealth countries, France, Holland, Belgium, Finland, Japan and Germany.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 6, 2014
Richard Hoyt is a wonderful and fun mystery/thriller author for anyone to start exploring. You can pick up any of his works and find it well done; he is one of those old-school authors (pre-internet) who never stumbles or falters. An effortless confidence marks his style.
His mysteries are always set in unique outdoor environments; for example the Pacific Northwest or Alberta Territory; places like that. The Caribbean. Really evocative and memorable; and the setting/culture of these locales plays strong part in the mystery itself.
His protagonists are quirky, outlandish, verve-ful and well-drawn; smart-talking; brutally tough; diverse; clever; witty, taut; seasoned intriguers who surprise at every turn.
In the course of any Hoyt story you will also encounter really insidious, devious, cruel, tricky, seamy, smarmy, snarky villains to match.
These are non-traditional mysteries; really almost a brand of comical/touch lit-fic with a mystery element tossed in. The books are slick and hip and inventive and funny.
Bottom line: Hoyt delivers every time. A name more people oughta be aware of.
His mysteries are always set in unique outdoor environments; for example the Pacific Northwest or Alberta Territory; places like that. The Caribbean. Really evocative and memorable; and the setting/culture of these locales plays strong part in the mystery itself.
His protagonists are quirky, outlandish, verve-ful and well-drawn; smart-talking; brutally tough; diverse; clever; witty, taut; seasoned intriguers who surprise at every turn.
In the course of any Hoyt story you will also encounter really insidious, devious, cruel, tricky, seamy, smarmy, snarky villains to match.
These are non-traditional mysteries; really almost a brand of comical/touch lit-fic with a mystery element tossed in. The books are slick and hip and inventive and funny.
Bottom line: Hoyt delivers every time. A name more people oughta be aware of.
February 2, 2024
Wacky, fun and a good twisty story with lots of very interesting characters!
Light reading, for sure...
Light reading, for sure...
May 24, 2021
The Siskiyou Two-Step • by Richard Hoyt (John Denson Mystery Series, book #3)
Summary - "John Denson, private investigator, goes to Oregon's North Umpqua River to fish trout but, instead finds himself caught up in a net of international intelligence agents and academics. It all starts when the naked body of a girl with a bullet hole between her eyes goes rushing past Denson in the rapids. He embarks on a search to find the girl's identity and bring her killer to justice. Strange clues lead to three more corpses, bringing the body-count to four and only the Siskiyou Two-Step saves Denson from being the fifth."
The body is thought to be that of Kathryn Marsden, however Kat is suppose to have a unique backside birthmark. The story concerns a controversial manuscript and it's contested authorship. In search of the birthmarked Kat, Denson heads to California, being tailed by foreign agents trying to follow covertly and failing.
One of those masquerading as Kat and flashing her birthmark tattoo is a stripper. The real Kat doesn't pretend ignorance about her birthmark. Having located the manuscript and keeping himself alive, Denson employs his Siskiyou Shuffle aboard a train near the Siskiyou mountains.
It's mostly an okay mystery with memorable as well as racy and ridiculous moments. When he spots the body in the water he wades out and is caught in the current and ends up riding the rapids while lying atop the naked, dead female. The story also suffers from some government agent nonsense.
John Denson Series
1 Decoys 1980
2 For a Harry 1981
● 3 The Siskiyou Two-Step 1983
4 Fish Story 1985
5 Whoo? 1991
6 Bigfoot 1993
7 Snake Eyes 1995
8 The Weatherman's Daughters 2003
9 Pony Girls 2004
Summary - "John Denson, private investigator, goes to Oregon's North Umpqua River to fish trout but, instead finds himself caught up in a net of international intelligence agents and academics. It all starts when the naked body of a girl with a bullet hole between her eyes goes rushing past Denson in the rapids. He embarks on a search to find the girl's identity and bring her killer to justice. Strange clues lead to three more corpses, bringing the body-count to four and only the Siskiyou Two-Step saves Denson from being the fifth."
The body is thought to be that of Kathryn Marsden, however Kat is suppose to have a unique backside birthmark. The story concerns a controversial manuscript and it's contested authorship. In search of the birthmarked Kat, Denson heads to California, being tailed by foreign agents trying to follow covertly and failing.
One of those masquerading as Kat and flashing her birthmark tattoo is a stripper. The real Kat doesn't pretend ignorance about her birthmark. Having located the manuscript and keeping himself alive, Denson employs his Siskiyou Shuffle aboard a train near the Siskiyou mountains.
It's mostly an okay mystery with memorable as well as racy and ridiculous moments. When he spots the body in the water he wades out and is caught in the current and ends up riding the rapids while lying atop the naked, dead female. The story also suffers from some government agent nonsense.
John Denson Series
1 Decoys 1980
2 For a Harry 1981
● 3 The Siskiyou Two-Step 1983
4 Fish Story 1985
5 Whoo? 1991
6 Bigfoot 1993
7 Snake Eyes 1995
8 The Weatherman's Daughters 2003
9 Pony Girls 2004
July 16, 2016
#3 in the John Denson series.
John Denson series - John Denson, private investigator, goes to Oregon's North Umpqua River to fish trout but, instead finds himself caught up in a net of international intelligence agents and academics. It all starts when the naked body of a girl with a bullet hole between her eyes goes rushing past Denson in the rapids. He embarks on a search to find the girl's identity and bring her killer to justice. Strange clues lead to three more corpses, bringing the body-count to four and only the Siskiyou Two-Step saves Denson from being the fifth.
John Denson series - John Denson, private investigator, goes to Oregon's North Umpqua River to fish trout but, instead finds himself caught up in a net of international intelligence agents and academics. It all starts when the naked body of a girl with a bullet hole between her eyes goes rushing past Denson in the rapids. He embarks on a search to find the girl's identity and bring her killer to justice. Strange clues lead to three more corpses, bringing the body-count to four and only the Siskiyou Two-Step saves Denson from being the fifth.
November 17, 2015
It's not often you find a murder book that's funny, but this one is, and the Author has a wonderful way of writing, its so easy to read; A serious subject, yet with the quirkiness that only life can bring, and at the same time have you glued to the pages, I really enjoyed this book, and although being British,I could follow the story set in America easily, it is well worth reading, and has a brilliant lead character, I shall certainly look for this Author again.
June 21, 2007
Funny, enjoyed the setting, creative
February 8, 2008
quick murder mystery set in norcal.
March 14, 2017
it was a good story, I liked the ending too, kept me interested until the last word.
November 23, 2015
Good
Kept my attention was a little over detailed in places but a nice story. Loved the ending was really happy
Kept my attention was a little over detailed in places but a nice story. Loved the ending was really happy
February 13, 2016
really enjoyed this. sort of eighties Philip Marlow
November 1, 2015
Good read with mostly interesting characters. The opening is definitely one of a kind.
Read
November 22, 2018Cold
The cold twists and turns of the mystery are just like the river, predicable and unpredictable. Interesting characters. Looking forward to next in series
The cold twists and turns of the mystery are just like the river, predicable and unpredictable. Interesting characters. Looking forward to next in series
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews