Not Dead Enough

Cal Claxton #4

by Warren C. Easley

The first closing of the floodgates of the mammoth Dalles Dam on the Columbia River inundated the sacred falls and the Native American village at Celilo which depended on the river s magnificent fish. Nelson Queah, Wasco Indian, war hero, and passionate opponent of the dam, watched helplessly as 10,000 years of tribal history and fishing tradition disappeared. That 1957 night, Nelson Queah vanished without a trace. Fifty years later, attorney Cal Claxton, new to Portland after a career as a prosecutor in Los Angeles, attends a commemoration of the flooding of the falls at the behest of his friend, Philip Lone Deer, who introduces Cal to his cousin, Winona Cloud. Winona is Nelson Queah s granddaughter. Spurning the story of a witness at the time who claimed to have seen Queah drunk by the river, she reveals she s found a cache of letters at her grandmother s home, letters Queah wrote to his wife before he vanished. They suggest foul play, not an accidental drowning. Cal, still grieving over his own wife s suicide, agrees to check out the cold case. He locates the man who put out the drunk story and sets up an interview. When he arrives, he finds the man shot by a sniper. Cal gets a glimpse of the shooter and becomes a target himself. Struggling to stay one step ahead of a relentless killer, Cal must navigate between Native American and white cultures, and feuding police jurisdictions. Oregon politics are also in play; various men involved with the dam s construction are still alive, some of them powerbrokers. Plus activists are questioning the value of dams in light of new energy sources and the dwindling spawning salmon. And then there s Cal s growing interest in the beautiful, headstrong Winona. Not Dead Enough is a story sure to grab fans of Dana Stabenow, CJ Box, and Tony and Anne Hillerman by the throat!"

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

290 pages, Hardcover

First published June 7, 2016

About the author

Formerly a research scientist and international business executive, Easley lives in Oregon where he writes fiction, hikes, skis, and fly fishes. As the author of the Cal Claxton Mysteries, he received a Kay Snow national award for fiction and was named the Northwest's Up and Coming Author by Willamette Writers. His fifth book in the series, Blood for Wine, was short-listed for the coveted Nero Wolfe Award and his eighth book, No Witness, won the Spotted Owl Award for the best mystery written by an author living in the greater Northwest, including Canada.

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully atmospheric murder mystery set in Oregon. It is a well constructed story that is focused on the disappearance and murder of Nelson Queah 50 years ago and its repercussions in the present day. We find ourselves immersed in environmental politics, Native American culture, intrigue, big business and secrets that are worth killing people over to ensure they remain buried.

Grieving attorney, Cal Claxton, has recently relocated to Dundee, Oregon. He was a prosecutor in LA, but the suicide of his wife has led him to desire a very different life. He is asked to investigate the disappearance of Queah by his granddaughter, Winona Cloud. His investigations have an explosive beginning when a sniper murders his first interviewee. Worse, he sees the sniper and finds himself the target. With suspicious rich businessmen, further murders, and continuing danger, Cal finds himself under immense pressure to find out who is behind the killings.

Warren Easley excels in depicting Oregon and its stunning landscape. He is skilful in his characterisations and in making me care about the people in the story. With a sensitively handled romance and nail biting suspense, this is a tale that captures the emotions of the reader. Great read! Thanks to Poisoned Press for an ARC via netgalley.

[Cherisa B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good story with some Native American elements and eco issues thrown in, but poor and inelegant writing made it an unpleasant read mostly.

[CL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cal Claxton moved to Oregon after his wife’s suicide looking for a different life than he had as a prosecutor in LA. He is asked to investigate the disappearance of Nelson Queah that happened over 50 years ago by his granddaughter, Winona Cloud. This story has environmental issues, politics, Native American culture, mystery, and secrets that they will do anything to insure stay buried. His first contact is murdered and Cal witnesses it and now finds himself the next target. Can he stay one step ahead and solve this before they can kill him. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and the real events behind it. The mystery kept me reading

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only regret reading this book is that I cannot give it more than 5 stars. The Cal Claxton series keeps me wanting more. Such a good series

[Jeff Tankersley · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the late 1950's the State of Washington and Army Corp of Engineers built the Dalles Dam, which reversed a river outlet's direction, eliminated its waterfall, and removed a fishing site sacred to the Wasco Indian tribe. The decision to build the dam has long been a point of conflict between conservationists, Native American rights activists, naturalists concerned with the salmon that needed the waterfall to stay alive, historians concerned with the ancient petroglyphs that had to be removed from the site and those that ended up completely submerged, and economic realities that argued that the savings in energy for the state's populace would offset those other concerns. The "unintended consequences" of government action here ended up being quite significant, which of course happens every time but they'll still say they didn't expect them as if it excuses the lack of foresight. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dal...

Anyways, against that overstepping government backdrop, author Warren Easley crafts a murder mystery narrative where an opponent of the dam is murdered on the eve of its completion and now fifty years later former LA prosecutor Cal Claxton is hired to investigate the murder.

The protagonist Claxton is an emotional guy trying to solve one problem at a time while also trying to forgive himself for mistakes made in his life before leaving LA. The Portland-area cultural scene is well-handled. As to the mystery itself, most of the bad guys are just stereotypical bad business guys who would do anything for a buck and the narrative is pretty boring. Kind of like a cable-show mystery. Not very good but not bad, with dialogue sequences like: "She returned her eyes to me and smiled, 'I was young, self-absorbed, and very naive.' 'Weren't we all,' I replied, and we shared a laugh together." Whatever.

Verdict: An okay weekend whodunit murder mystery with easy prose and a bit cartoony when the action thriller scenes pop up.

Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)
movie rating if made into a movie: R

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cal Claxton has moved to small-town Oregon to get away from his past. When he's asked to investigate the disappearance--fifty years ago--of a Native American leader, he can't resist the appeal of the man's granddaughter, a beautiful environmental activist. But his hopes aren't too high--fifty years is a long time. Then the man who claims to be the last one to see the missing man is murdered, just before he can speak to Cal. And that's only the first of the deaths associated with the long-ago crime. Lots of scenery and fly-fishing.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the 20th century the dams on rivers of the Northwest provided huge amounts of energy for the development of the region and were generally regarded with favor – think of Woody Guthrie’s song “Roll on Columbia.” However, even at the time, it was known that the dams would have a tremendous impact on the salmon populations and now, in the 21st century, favor has made a shift towards removing the dams and allowing the rivers to run free. In the story, Nelson Queah disappeared the night that The Dalles Dam flooded Celilo Falls. Fifty years later, his granddaughter Winona Cloud has asked Cal Claxton to find out what happened. Cal is struggling to establish his one-man law practice but quickly gets drawn into the investigation. The setting and context are superbly evoked and Cal is an interesting character. The mystery plot is suspenseful up until the ending, which I found a little flattening.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series - BUT - I don't think this is the best book of the lot. And I'm bothered by the time frame - if the books were published in chronological order then this one should be the first in the series. Archie is still a puppy (and apparently hasn't yet developed his fear of water; Cal's law practice is in the early stages; he's just learning how to fly fish (unlike in one of the "earlier" books when he helps guide a fly fishing trip!); he has yet to met his Cuban detective friend (are we ever going to learn how that happened?). And there were a few spots where I had trouble following the story and wondered if this book had been written earlier, then set aside and re-worked for later publication? That said, it was the usual Cal Claxon, with the usual "saved by the bell" ending - although I have to say that the denouement did surprise me.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. First I have read by this author. I grew up in the PNW and made many a trip from Eastern WA to the Oregon Coast. I can remember the Gorge before the Columbia River was changed by the dams and I vaguely remember Celilo Falls as it was then. To this day, whenever I drive by there, I can see the old Celilo Falls in my mind. I also remember the flooding of Arlington (further E). So not only did I enjoy the mystery of the story but I really appreciated the history that went with it. I currently live just across the river from Portland and still make the trip to the E side several times a year.

[Gary Sedivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. It is a lot of fun reading a story set in our area of Oregon - Newberg, Dundee, The Dalles, Portland, Sandy, the Deschutes River, etc. How do you solve a 50 year old mystery? It plays out in discovering what happened the day The Dalles Dam was closed and Celilo Falls disappeared. The action was well done, and the story moved, I was a little disappointed in the ending, but otherwise okay.

[Jennifer Gottschalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Not Dead Enough" has a bit of everything. Mystery, intrigue, environmental affairs and romance. They underlying premise is sound and the author has made the most of the setting. The pace is steady and I really enjoyed this book.

Easley cleverly combines history and a fictional narrative to write a compelling story. Whilst this is not quite 'master storyteller' territory, it is close enough and reading 'Not Dead Enough' is a great way to spend a few hours.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

9.5/10. Part of a mystery series by an Oregon writer. Includes history of building the Columbia Gorge dams and the effect on Native Americans and the salmon runs. Interesting history and an active storyline. Set in the Willamette Valley. End of book could have had a stronger finish but worth reading.

[Jasmine Yajjala · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually had no idea this was the fourth book on this edition, I’ve been reading this as a single. Anyways it was an okay book but the reveal was rather underwhelming. A plus point in this story does to the writing style, the author has a very unique way of expressing their characters which was interesting to read. Looking forward to reading more of this series :)

[Mary Heaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems this book is labeled as #4 in the series but Archie the dog is only 6 months old and Cal is just starting his practice in Dundee. Seems like it should have been labeled as #1 in the series. As the previous books has Archie full grown and the practice well established enough to have a bookkeeper and satellite office in Portland. ??? Really Editors? But a good real even if its out of order.

[Michelle Conniff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Working my way through these Oregon based books. In this one, the murder happened fifty years ago, on the day the dam opened in The Dallas and floode out the native village of Celillo.
The politics of salmon, and Native American rights join with murder and intrigue in this book. I enjoyed it, but I prefer the ones where Easleynames the streets and restaurants of Portland.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Followed a recommendation by Dana Stabenow and I’m glad I did. Mystery set in the landscapes, histories, and politics of Oregon. Intrigung plot. I will seek out the others about Cal Claxton. Especially for descriptions of fly fishing

[Shomeret · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but this book only intermittently interested me. My attention wandered as I read it. I didn't find it suspenseful. I wanted to like a few of the characters more. Unfortunately, they weren't as fleshed out as I tend to prefer.

[Carolyn Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting setting and environmental information, but the delivery of that seemed too heavy-handed.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

odd

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same review as the last book. Great story line and characters. Again, the ending was abrupt and felt rushed and unfinished.

[Josine van Heek · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-4 stars. Decided on four because I want to read more books in this series. Fun to read a mystery set in Oregon when you're in Oregon!

[Ed And · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally enjoyed the book and the character. Is does get a little lush in its detail, but I enjoyed following Cal's travels though familiar Oregon landmarks, including the high school I once taught at.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance copy of Not Dead Enough the fourth instalment in Mr Easley's Cal Claxton series set in rural Oregon.
I have not read Mr Easley's work before so, as I am always interested to new to me authors, and the plot synopsis sounds intriguing, I decided to give it a go. The initial premise is fairly simple but the ramifications of Cal's investigation are complex and you need to concentrate to keep up with all the characters and their motivations. Winona Cloud hires Cal Claxton, a retired hotshot LA prosecutor now in private practice in rural Oregon, to find out what happened to her grandfather, Nelson Queah, who disappeared 50 years ago on the day the Celilo falls were dammed which he had vehemently opposed. The family has always discounted the witness account of him being drunk and falling in the dam and now his letters have been found and suggest foul play. Cal quickly finds out what happened to Nelson but this is only the start as he has seen the shooter who shot the original witness and becomes a target himself as he tries to unravel the events of 50 years ago.
I found the plot of Not Dead Enough suitably labyrinthine to hold my attention and keep me guessing about the puppet master behind it all - I had plenty of suspects but it's well disguised (the mark of a good read). The novel is also interesting on Native American culture and history and the effect of commercialisation on the environment but Mr Easley oversimplifies it by making the businessmen venal, ruthless and corrupt and the environmentalists committed and honest. I think a bit more grey would have strengthened his argument.
I enjoyed Not Dead Enough which I found interesting on a plot level but I'm a townie and have little interest in the great outdoors so the environmental concerns opened my eyes to the problems but it is hard to get worked up about something that has no relevance to my life.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a a must read for Pacific NW readers. I got totally blitzed by the ending, & enjoyed the backdrop for this book. I will check out previous books in this series!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisty Oregon mystery spanning 50 years

I live in southern Oregon and this story takes place in northern and northeastern Oregon but it was fun reading about places I've been and I could actually visualize.

Cal Claxton is an L.A. power attorney that left that lifestyle behind and moved to rural Oregon after his wife committed suicide.

In this fast moving, twisty mystery, Claxton is hired by Winona Cloud of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation to solve a 50 year-old mystery of her grandfather's disappearance when the Dalles Dam was constructed.

Author Easley brought the gorgeous settings of the Colombia River Gorge alive in this book and raised questions about the damming of the river, fish habitats, state politics, and Native American troubled times in the State - and murders.

The book really reminded me of another Oregon author who I've followed and enjoyed for years - Kate Wilhelm.

And I was totally shocked by the ending - and that doesn't happen too often.

I am glad that I received this book from Poisoned Pen Press through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.

[Robert Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

+An interesting story highlighting the effect of dams in western rivers on the spawning grounds of fish, particularly salmon and what the consequences were for the native American tribes that depended on the salmon to exist. As the author states, this is based on 4 historical events: March 10, 1957, the falls and the village of Celilo were inundated with the closing of the floodgates of the newly commissioned The Dalles Dam; March 10, 2007, a commemoration of the event was held at the relocated Native American village; October 19, 2007, the marmot Dam on the Sandy River was removed; A 2007 attempt to site a gambling casino in the Columbia River Gorge failed because of citizen opposition and no vote by the governor. The rest is a verry good Cal Claxton mystery with a little romance.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and carefully plotted mystery spanning fifty years and several generations. I really enjoyed Cal (and his sidekick Archie)= Easly did a nice job of adding details that rounded him out such as his cooking. I also appreciated that he did not flesh out the issue with Cal's wife until over halfway through the book. The setting was great and gave a good sense of the region. The twists were actually surprising- up to and including the very last line of the book. Two thumbs up - thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Ann Recktenwald · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're reading the Cal Claxton series in order, this book comes before the previous three books and fills in some of Cal's history. I like this one better than the previous book involving Philip Lone Deer, because this one is centered less on fishing and more the complex plot having to do with present repercussions from a 50 year old murder. Great descriptions and personal thoughts enhance the plot and give us a stake in Cal's journey to make a new life. A few red herrings make the solution more interesting.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author. Cal Claxton is hired by Winona Cloud to investigate the death of her grandfather. The book is centred around the time of Celilo falls being dammed, which Nelson, the grandfather, was opposed to. The plot kept me interested and I enjoyed the glimpse into the culture of Native Americans. Having visited Oregon, I liked the setting and the ending surprised me and left me wanting more. Thank you to Net Galley for the copy.