Made a Killing in Copper: Murder on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula

Searing/McMillan #16

by Richard Baldwin

Copper Harbor, a peaceful and tranquil community is at the heart of this story with interesting characters, plenty of drama, and a Finnish family who has their tranquil existence torn apart by their son’s role in a murder.
The beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula is often referred to as “Copper Country” and aptly so, as copper mines there have yielded tons of ore. Karl Carlson, a retired police officer smelts copper and sells it to jewelers in Europe. He depends on a supply of copper coming to him from a number of thieves who decide they want to partner with him. But, Karl calls them, “Good for nothings” and refuses to create a partnership. Thus the problem; and murder appears to be the only solution. This story, like the previous 15 Lou Searing Mysteries provides readers with a safe read complete with twists and turns as Detectives Lou Searing and Belle Franklin bring justice to Upper Michigan.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2015

Reviews

[Sapphyria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made a Killing in Copper is set in the upper peninsula (UP) of Michigan. Copper Harbor is a town at the northern most point of that part of the UP. When the murder of the leader of a copper theft ring occurs, there is only one thing to do – bring in Lou Searing, private investigator.

The mystery is laid out well and the push and pull of who may or may not have been guilty kept the story engaging. The author painted a descriptive picture of the world he was trying to convey to the readers. The book is medium-paced, in that, it is not slow but not fast either. I wouldn’t even describe it as steady. It just kind of bumps along as Lou Searing goes about his business investigating the murder and trying to understand the pattern of the copper thieves. If you are looking for a rich history about the copper mining in the UP, this isn’t the book to read for a history lesson. I didn’t expect this book to have anything to do with copper mines or anything, but I thought I’d give other readers a head’s up just in case.

The writing was not very smooth in this book, however. The thoughts were a bit chaotic and scenes were choppy. The character dialogue was awkward and unrealistic as times. As I haven't read the previous books and don’t know the characters, I found that there wasn’t any character development and I did not connect with them. There wasn't any brief character descriptions that helped me better understand them.

I enjoyed the story but it’s hard to get around the choppy writing. It took me a lot longer to read this book than it usually does. I kept putting it down to grab something else.

The book was written by a Michigan author I had a chance to meet a couple of summers ago at a craft/book fair near my home. He generously provided me the review copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed it and the rating and all opinions are my own.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, this one only got its second star because I like stories that take place in the Keweenaw. Mr. Baldwin is obviously not that familiar with the place and did not make much of an effort to find out much about it. First, the dialogue is stilted, worthy of a high school freshman's attempt at writing. Second, internal consistency is a real problem. Things like a phone call from a woman couldn't be traced because it was too short, but 3 or 4 pages later they were able to track her down because they traced her phone call. He says that most of the jurors in a Keweenaw County court case lived in Calumet, which is in Houghton County. If you want to use an actual business in your story you should find out a bit about that business. He learned that the Fitzgerald is a restaurant in Eagle River, that a lot of places in the Keweenaw make pasties and that some people like gravy on their pasties. Unfortunately, those 3 tidbits don't go together. The Fitz doesn't serve pasties, it's not open in March (until this coming year, for the first time) and nobody in the Keweenaw would be caught dead putting gravy on a pasty. I could go on. All in all, not very satisfying.

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was in Copper Harbor, at Grandpa's Barn (it's a bookstore), of course I bought this book, of course I had low expectations and they were met. Sitting on the porch of my cabin and reading the beginning of the book, it was kind of fun. I also took that road up, it's the only way by car.

But finishing the book once I got home and the nostalgia of pasties and places I've been wore off, well, my heart just wasn't in it anymore. It was just a run of the mill crime novel, nothing special, all the characters of substance are middle-aged to old white men. I'm kind of done with that lack of diversity (and I'm from the area, I know there may not be much diversity, but it exists and women do still make up roughly 50% of the population.)

All in all, not great, not bad, barely average.

[Cory Himmelspach Wholehan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this book if I wasn't familiar with the setting. I have been vacationing in the Keweenaw since I was a kid so I was excited to read about places I had been. The book was a quick easy read and entertaining but I don't think I will put it on my read it again list.

[Tara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a horrible book. It could have been written by a 7th grader. I was very excited when I purchased this book as the Keweenaw has a special spot in my heart. I was utterly disappointed with the read.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

reads like an old radio play. one would think by the 16th book the writer's style would be more solid.

[Jay Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Decent story. Great for anyone familiar with Michigan