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Death on Lake Michigan
Death on Lake Michigan is a mystery set in a glamorous town on the shore of Lake Michigan in the summer of ’73. Mike O’Brien, once the crusading editor of the Michigan State News, now the assistant editor of the Gull Haven Observer, becomes obsessed with solving the murder of Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven—and finds love in the process.
Here’s the A body washes ashore late one night during the biggest party night of the year in Gull Haven, Michigan. Murders are almost unheard of in this rich and trendy town, so the story is really big news—especially when it turns out that it belongs to Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven, a man who most of the locals believe was in the drug dealing business. Mike O’Brien is as fascinated about the murder as anyone and is glad to finally have a story with some meat to it to investigate. His investigation ends up becoming almost an obsession, especially as more and more leads surface about it and it becomes known that Rich Mallon was really Richard Nearing, the prodigal son of Edward Nearing, scion of a wealthy and prominent family from Chicago. As he follows up the leads in the story, he encounters an oddball and unlikely group of suspects that only deepens the mystery rather than leading closer to a solution.
Who will the murderer turn out to be? Grant Fields, who rumor has it was his partner in crime but whom he had a terrible argument with on the night Rich was killed? Could it be Becky Westworth, the beautiful and sexy but notorious woman who was Rich’s girlfriend until they had a bitter breakup just a couple of weeks before the murder? Or could it be Jack Engler, a fairly respectable young business owner in Gull Haven who has never committed a crime in his life but has hated Rich since he stole his girlfriend away from him a few months before the murder and who has been heard to say he’d like to kill Rich. Another suspect is Langdon Smith, owner of the largest fruit operation in the area, whose son died of an overdose of drugs that he always believed he got from Rich. It could even be Virginia Nearing, Rich’s elegant young stepmother whom he hated so much he hadn’t visited his father in many years but who may need to get Rich out of the way if she is going to stand any chance of inheriting her husband’s millions.
With the help of the irascible Lt. George Dirkman of the Lake County sheriff’s department, Mike unravels the mystery and even finds love along the way. Check out Death on Lake Michigan today for one of the most interesting mysteries and one of the most interesting group of characters you will have encountered in a long time!
Also by Steven The hilarious dark comedy novel Winners and Losers, which will give you lots of laughs and also has plenty of romance thrown in! Available at www.amazon.com/author/stevenarnett for Amazon Kindle readers.
Here’s the A body washes ashore late one night during the biggest party night of the year in Gull Haven, Michigan. Murders are almost unheard of in this rich and trendy town, so the story is really big news—especially when it turns out that it belongs to Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven, a man who most of the locals believe was in the drug dealing business. Mike O’Brien is as fascinated about the murder as anyone and is glad to finally have a story with some meat to it to investigate. His investigation ends up becoming almost an obsession, especially as more and more leads surface about it and it becomes known that Rich Mallon was really Richard Nearing, the prodigal son of Edward Nearing, scion of a wealthy and prominent family from Chicago. As he follows up the leads in the story, he encounters an oddball and unlikely group of suspects that only deepens the mystery rather than leading closer to a solution.
Who will the murderer turn out to be? Grant Fields, who rumor has it was his partner in crime but whom he had a terrible argument with on the night Rich was killed? Could it be Becky Westworth, the beautiful and sexy but notorious woman who was Rich’s girlfriend until they had a bitter breakup just a couple of weeks before the murder? Or could it be Jack Engler, a fairly respectable young business owner in Gull Haven who has never committed a crime in his life but has hated Rich since he stole his girlfriend away from him a few months before the murder and who has been heard to say he’d like to kill Rich. Another suspect is Langdon Smith, owner of the largest fruit operation in the area, whose son died of an overdose of drugs that he always believed he got from Rich. It could even be Virginia Nearing, Rich’s elegant young stepmother whom he hated so much he hadn’t visited his father in many years but who may need to get Rich out of the way if she is going to stand any chance of inheriting her husband’s millions.
With the help of the irascible Lt. George Dirkman of the Lake County sheriff’s department, Mike unravels the mystery and even finds love along the way. Check out Death on Lake Michigan today for one of the most interesting mysteries and one of the most interesting group of characters you will have encountered in a long time!
Also by Steven The hilarious dark comedy novel Winners and Losers, which will give you lots of laughs and also has plenty of romance thrown in! Available at www.amazon.com/author/stevenarnett for Amazon Kindle readers.
- GenresMystery
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2015
45 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Steven Arnett
7 books37 followersSteven Arnett was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1951 and enjoys writing fiction and poetry. He attended Michigan State University and the University of Maine. He currently lives in Luxembourg with his wife, Delphine, and daughter, Vivienne.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
October 14, 2020
Enjoyed it
Lovely mystery. The story moved at a perfect pace and the suspense had been maintained till the very end. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Lovely mystery. The story moved at a perfect pace and the suspense had been maintained till the very end. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 11, 2018
I love a good mystery! Steven Arnett did a great job writing this mystery. It left you guessing who the murderer was until the end. I loved the little town that the story was based in. I felt like I really was in the little town. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery!
February 25, 2025
Death on Lake Michigan is the first book I've read of Steven Arnett's and I enjoyed reading it. The premise of the story focuses on Mike O'Brien, the assistant editor of the Gull Haven Observer. When one of the town's summer vacationers is found dead on the shore of Lake Michigan, Mike is to investigate the findings and write up an article about the death.
Rich Mallon was known by everyone, but little was known about his background, though through the local buzz, it was said that Rich was involved in drug trafficking. Through the police investigation, it was discovered Rich also had another name, Richard Nearing, and he is the son of a prominent business man living in Chicago.
Mike gets entrenched in finding out who murdered Rich, and begins his own investigations, writing more articles on his findings. When another local is found with a bullet through the head, Mike realizes his own life might be in jeopardy as well, but he is driven to discover the truth.
The story is written in first person, and you get to know a lot about Mike through the pages. (even a love interest that adds to the plot). The secondary characters were a bit vague, but the storyline was easy to follow and held my interest to the end. I like Arnett's writing style, and I enjoyed the well-thought-out plot that kept at a steady pace. I will definitely read more by this author!
Rich Mallon was known by everyone, but little was known about his background, though through the local buzz, it was said that Rich was involved in drug trafficking. Through the police investigation, it was discovered Rich also had another name, Richard Nearing, and he is the son of a prominent business man living in Chicago.
Mike gets entrenched in finding out who murdered Rich, and begins his own investigations, writing more articles on his findings. When another local is found with a bullet through the head, Mike realizes his own life might be in jeopardy as well, but he is driven to discover the truth.
The story is written in first person, and you get to know a lot about Mike through the pages. (even a love interest that adds to the plot). The secondary characters were a bit vague, but the storyline was easy to follow and held my interest to the end. I like Arnett's writing style, and I enjoyed the well-thought-out plot that kept at a steady pace. I will definitely read more by this author!
March 4, 2023
" GOLDEN CLASSIC"
Murder on Lake Michigan is detective, clever written story which revolving about murder of city playboy and suspected drug dealer.
Arnett masterly uses his main character, journalist Mike who is investigating murder, to lead reader through his story. His ability to let us inside mind of main character that we can experience story through his eyes is admiring skill and ability of talented and capable writer.
Through book there is plenty of interesting dialogue (which I liked) that fits perfectly and is required for story this type.
Summary: Ex-girlfriend, jealous boyfriend, party waitress, sexy stepmother all suspected in small city murder. Once grouped together on suspect’s list but then again unexpected murder happens bringing new twist which require for homicide investigating new approach. This time becoming even more interesting, so reader get to know all characters and gets insight into their life. Through story Arnett skilfully plays with characters to make us continuously guessing who is the killer?
I will say only this: While everyone has a motive, think what the most common motive is in killing and it will lead you to killer…This book is golden classic. Who ever likes detective stories will love Steven Arnett’s novel Murder on Lake Michigan. I certainly did….
Stacy Nicholson
Poet, Novelist and Humanitarian
Melbourne AUSTRALIA
Murder on Lake Michigan is detective, clever written story which revolving about murder of city playboy and suspected drug dealer.
Arnett masterly uses his main character, journalist Mike who is investigating murder, to lead reader through his story. His ability to let us inside mind of main character that we can experience story through his eyes is admiring skill and ability of talented and capable writer.
Through book there is plenty of interesting dialogue (which I liked) that fits perfectly and is required for story this type.
Summary: Ex-girlfriend, jealous boyfriend, party waitress, sexy stepmother all suspected in small city murder. Once grouped together on suspect’s list but then again unexpected murder happens bringing new twist which require for homicide investigating new approach. This time becoming even more interesting, so reader get to know all characters and gets insight into their life. Through story Arnett skilfully plays with characters to make us continuously guessing who is the killer?
I will say only this: While everyone has a motive, think what the most common motive is in killing and it will lead you to killer…This book is golden classic. Who ever likes detective stories will love Steven Arnett’s novel Murder on Lake Michigan. I certainly did….
Stacy Nicholson
Poet, Novelist and Humanitarian
Melbourne AUSTRALIA
September 21, 2019
Crime Fiction with Conviction
Lots of characters step onto the pages, but, the reader-turned-sleuth is able to hone in on the key players who may have murdered Rich Mallon, a drug dealer, whose body washed up on the shores of Lake Michigan. The story is told in first-person narrative by Michael O’Brien, reporter for the ‘Gull Haven Observer’. A determination to step it up beyond his typical general-interest scoops for a small-town newspaper of little consequence, takes the reader into the mindset of an investigative reporter, as well as that of Lt. George Dirkman of the Lake County sheriff’s office, whom he runs things by.
The author’s easygoing writing style and realistic plot twists throughout the progression of the story to solve a murder, render this novel “crime fiction with conviction.” Why? Although, there are elements of danger and threats, there’s no over-the-top drama. Just persistence in chiseling away at each tidbit of information painstakingly acquired from those reluctant to be forthcoming.
Also interesting, the author infuses the ‘70s in this novel—an era when phone booths still loomed large on the urban landscape. There are references to the Watergate hearing and “Tricky Dick”.
Whether or not you’re surprised in discovering who murdered Rich Mallon, ‘Death on Lake Michigan’ is well worth the plunge.
Lots of characters step onto the pages, but, the reader-turned-sleuth is able to hone in on the key players who may have murdered Rich Mallon, a drug dealer, whose body washed up on the shores of Lake Michigan. The story is told in first-person narrative by Michael O’Brien, reporter for the ‘Gull Haven Observer’. A determination to step it up beyond his typical general-interest scoops for a small-town newspaper of little consequence, takes the reader into the mindset of an investigative reporter, as well as that of Lt. George Dirkman of the Lake County sheriff’s office, whom he runs things by.
The author’s easygoing writing style and realistic plot twists throughout the progression of the story to solve a murder, render this novel “crime fiction with conviction.” Why? Although, there are elements of danger and threats, there’s no over-the-top drama. Just persistence in chiseling away at each tidbit of information painstakingly acquired from those reluctant to be forthcoming.
Also interesting, the author infuses the ‘70s in this novel—an era when phone booths still loomed large on the urban landscape. There are references to the Watergate hearing and “Tricky Dick”.
Whether or not you’re surprised in discovering who murdered Rich Mallon, ‘Death on Lake Michigan’ is well worth the plunge.
June 16, 2019
Firstly, I was intrigued that this novel was set in 1973 - back in what, for many readers may be the Dark Ages - as so many are in the current time. I well remember the 70s so enjoyed this one very much.
Steve Arnett weaves a dark tale around some interesting characters. The hero, Mike, is a somewhat naive but extremely likeable person, who trundles through his self-appointed investigation and proves himself extremely susceptible where the ladies are concerned! A reporter for the local newspaper, Mike is bucking the proprietor's orders by bringing the murder of a sly local hood into the limelight.
His boss, Charles Pearson, wants to keep the newspaper as a "family-friendly" rag, devoted only to the good news. This, he reasons, will ensure that tourists and holiday-makers will continue to return to the small coastal town of Gull Haven. This idea proves somewhat ambitious when a second murder takes place...
Obviously, against these express wishes, Mike forges ahead, against threats and unhelpful witnesses.
I enjoyed this murder mystery with the ambience of the 70s well to the fore!
Steve Arnett weaves a dark tale around some interesting characters. The hero, Mike, is a somewhat naive but extremely likeable person, who trundles through his self-appointed investigation and proves himself extremely susceptible where the ladies are concerned! A reporter for the local newspaper, Mike is bucking the proprietor's orders by bringing the murder of a sly local hood into the limelight.
His boss, Charles Pearson, wants to keep the newspaper as a "family-friendly" rag, devoted only to the good news. This, he reasons, will ensure that tourists and holiday-makers will continue to return to the small coastal town of Gull Haven. This idea proves somewhat ambitious when a second murder takes place...
Obviously, against these express wishes, Mike forges ahead, against threats and unhelpful witnesses.
I enjoyed this murder mystery with the ambience of the 70s well to the fore!
February 9, 2021
This plot is set in 70's and the reporter does his work with sheer dedication and this helped me visualise every bit of detail the narrator was narrating, the novel seemed quite adventurous to me as the reporter gets into trouble now and then and especially at end how he is saved definitely seemed the most interesting part for me. The mystery of the novel keeps you hooked on till the end without making you bore even for one second. The language is simple and narration is soothing, kudos to the writer for having created such an interesting story, I always check if book has any profound message to offer and this book too definitely does even though it sounds to be light hearted one when you look at it closely, the subject of equality and where the women are not ready to be in relationship even after making love has lot to tell ( have not disclosed the name and entire scene cos it will be a spoiler)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2022
Death on Lake Michigan by indie author Steven Arnett sparked my curiosity throughout the entire book. I was immediately hooked with the small town murders that captured the attention of the towns people of Gulf Haven and its usual gossipers as they speculated who was the culprit or culprits hiding in their backyard. I rallied with and worried for the towns editor Mike Obrien who wanted closure for this case as he conducted his own investigation. This book was full of mystery, crime, drama and sex with each and every turn. I truly enjoyed this book and am happy to have chosen this as my first read of 2022. Well done Mr. Arnett.
June 25, 2021
Enjoyed it!
I received the kindle version of this book from the author for my honest review. The Thriller/mystery genre is my favorite and I really enjoyed this book. I somewhat had it figured out who the murderer was early on and then thought we’ll maybe not🤔 lol but later on I just knew who it was. I pictured the town of Gull Haven being like Kennebunkport Maine for some reason and Mike (the reporter) was a likable guy although he seemed to be a bit of a hornball 😂 the book was an easy and even paced read.
I received the kindle version of this book from the author for my honest review. The Thriller/mystery genre is my favorite and I really enjoyed this book. I somewhat had it figured out who the murderer was early on and then thought we’ll maybe not🤔 lol but later on I just knew who it was. I pictured the town of Gull Haven being like Kennebunkport Maine for some reason and Mike (the reporter) was a likable guy although he seemed to be a bit of a hornball 😂 the book was an easy and even paced read.
February 2, 2018
"Delivered in style"
This one has a style about it that I like. Easy to read. laced with a thread of humour. A thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously. I had my doubts throughout whether I had worked out who was responsible for the murders, and why. That's a skill you can't teach. I look forward to reading more thrillers from Mr Arnett.
This one has a style about it that I like. Easy to read. laced with a thread of humour. A thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously. I had my doubts throughout whether I had worked out who was responsible for the murders, and why. That's a skill you can't teach. I look forward to reading more thrillers from Mr Arnett.
July 7, 2021
A Crime Mystery and Fiction
A body washes from the shore. Murder is big news “Death on Lake Michigan" They need to figure out the problem before it happens again.
Intriguing and exciting case of who done it. The author has a way to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The characters are realistic as the story flows with drama, warning to solve the horrendous killing with unique twists and plots that will surprise you.
If you like a great mystery, this story will fascinate you and keep you reading to the end.
I recommend this captivating novel.
A body washes from the shore. Murder is big news “Death on Lake Michigan" They need to figure out the problem before it happens again.
Intriguing and exciting case of who done it. The author has a way to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The characters are realistic as the story flows with drama, warning to solve the horrendous killing with unique twists and plots that will surprise you.
If you like a great mystery, this story will fascinate you and keep you reading to the end.
I recommend this captivating novel.
October 30, 2025
A abandoned - just wasn’t interesting.
January 3, 2018
Why I like to read.
This book was a surprise. Being from Michigan, I tend to read an eclectic selection of stories written about the state. Most are not worth the effort. This one stood out immediately, because it was very well written and the characters were credible. I liked the pace of the story and the variety of possibilities it presented. It is a good mystery and an accurate representation of the prevailing attitude of the tourist towns that live in the shadow of Chicago. I'm looking for another one of Mr. Arnett's works.
This book was a surprise. Being from Michigan, I tend to read an eclectic selection of stories written about the state. Most are not worth the effort. This one stood out immediately, because it was very well written and the characters were credible. I liked the pace of the story and the variety of possibilities it presented. It is a good mystery and an accurate representation of the prevailing attitude of the tourist towns that live in the shadow of Chicago. I'm looking for another one of Mr. Arnett's works.
July 11, 2018
When I saw who’d drowned, I was only mildly surprised…It was Rich Mallon.
Georgia author Steven Arnett earned his degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Maine. Born in Detroit, Michigan he currently lives in Johns Creek, Georgia. To date he has published three novels – THE LABYRINTH, WINNERS AND LOSERS, THE SUMMER OF ROBERT BYRON and DEATH ON LAKE MICHIGAN.
Steven understands the importance of character building as is evident in a small excerpt from the opening of the book that introduces the mystery serving as the center of focus – ‘I’m tall and fairly handsome, which has helped me out in more ways than the obvious—in this business, women are much more willing to talk to you if you are, and men respect guys who are big even when it comes to things that have nothing to do with size. My complexion and hair are just dark enough so that people have a hard time figuring out what my nationality is: Could I be partly Mexican, or am I maybe from one of those Eastern European countries that most Americans don’t know much about? Throw in my blue eyes and last name, and people get even more confused. That’s OK, though: I like being a mystery to people. I have a moustache and hair that’s long enough to be cool but not quite long enough to offend the older adults I more or less have to get along with to get my job done. I thought it was ironic that I was having such a hard time getting out this week’s edition, which because of the Harbor Festival should have been the easiest paper to do of the whole year. I asked myself for about the millionth time why in the hell I ever applied for that job, though I knew the answer well enough, and I laughed as I reached for my coffee cup and thought how absurd it was to be drinking coffee on a day like that. I was wondering how coffee could get so cold on such a hot day when Pearson walked up. “You ready for this?” he said, taking the cigar out of his mouth. “A body washed up over at Ashley Beach. You’d better get over there and find out what the hell is going on.” “Who is it?” I said, with some concern. In a town with only 2,022 people, I couldn’t help but be afraid it would be somebody I knew. He shrugged. He was bald and wore bow ties and had a look that made you think that when he was a kid he must have been a real smart a**. “I don’t have any idea. Clara Whitman just called and said that a crowd’s formed around the body, and she thinks it’s a man. But with her eyesight it could be Marilyn Monroe. You’d better get over there. We can BS about it later.”
The plot of this engrossing mystery follows: ‘A mystery is set in a glamorous town on the shore of Lake Michigan in the summer of ’73. Mike O’Brien, once the crusading editor of the Michigan State News, now the assistant editor of the Gull Haven Observer, becomes obsessed with solving the murder of Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven—and finds love in the process. A body washes ashore late one night during the biggest party night of the year in Gull Haven. Murders are almost unheard of in this rich and trendy town, so the story is really big news—especially when it turns out that it belongs to Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven, a man who most of the locals believe was in the drug dealing business. Mike O’Brien is as fascinated about the murder as anyone and is glad to finally have a story with some meat to it to investigate. His investigation ends up becoming almost an obsession, especially as more and more leads surface about it and it becomes known that Rich Mallon was really Richard Nearing, the prodigal son of Edward Nearing, scion of a wealthy and prominent family from Chicago. As he follows up the leads in the story, he encounters an oddball and unlikely group of suspects that only deepens the mystery rather than leading closer to a solution. Who will the murderer turn out to be? Grant Fields, who rumor has it, was his partner in crime but whom he had a terrible argument with on the night Rich was killed? Could it be Becky Westworth, the beautiful and sexy but notorious woman who was Rich’s girlfriend until they had a bitter breakup just a couple of weeks before the murder? Or could it be Jack Engler, a fairly respectable young business owner in Gull Haven who has never committed a crime in his life but has hated Rich since he stole his girlfriend away from him a few months before the murder and who has been heard to say he’d like to kill Rich. Another suspect is Langdon Smith, owner of the largest fruit operation in the area, whose son died of an overdose of drugs that he always believed he got from Rich. It could even be Virginia Nearing, Rich’s elegant young stepmother whom he hated so much he hadn’t visited his father in many years but who may need to get Rich out of the way if she is going to stand any chance of inheriting her husband’s millions. With the help of the irascible Lt. George Dirkman of the Lake County sheriff’s department, Mike unravels the mystery and even finds love along the way.’
That hints at the fascinating story Steven brings to life. He has a fine sense of place and his pacing in excellent. Refreshingly, there is enough humor to make the story sail along. This is a fine novel for an exciting and entertaining summer read.
Georgia author Steven Arnett earned his degrees from Michigan State University and the University of Maine. Born in Detroit, Michigan he currently lives in Johns Creek, Georgia. To date he has published three novels – THE LABYRINTH, WINNERS AND LOSERS, THE SUMMER OF ROBERT BYRON and DEATH ON LAKE MICHIGAN.
Steven understands the importance of character building as is evident in a small excerpt from the opening of the book that introduces the mystery serving as the center of focus – ‘I’m tall and fairly handsome, which has helped me out in more ways than the obvious—in this business, women are much more willing to talk to you if you are, and men respect guys who are big even when it comes to things that have nothing to do with size. My complexion and hair are just dark enough so that people have a hard time figuring out what my nationality is: Could I be partly Mexican, or am I maybe from one of those Eastern European countries that most Americans don’t know much about? Throw in my blue eyes and last name, and people get even more confused. That’s OK, though: I like being a mystery to people. I have a moustache and hair that’s long enough to be cool but not quite long enough to offend the older adults I more or less have to get along with to get my job done. I thought it was ironic that I was having such a hard time getting out this week’s edition, which because of the Harbor Festival should have been the easiest paper to do of the whole year. I asked myself for about the millionth time why in the hell I ever applied for that job, though I knew the answer well enough, and I laughed as I reached for my coffee cup and thought how absurd it was to be drinking coffee on a day like that. I was wondering how coffee could get so cold on such a hot day when Pearson walked up. “You ready for this?” he said, taking the cigar out of his mouth. “A body washed up over at Ashley Beach. You’d better get over there and find out what the hell is going on.” “Who is it?” I said, with some concern. In a town with only 2,022 people, I couldn’t help but be afraid it would be somebody I knew. He shrugged. He was bald and wore bow ties and had a look that made you think that when he was a kid he must have been a real smart a**. “I don’t have any idea. Clara Whitman just called and said that a crowd’s formed around the body, and she thinks it’s a man. But with her eyesight it could be Marilyn Monroe. You’d better get over there. We can BS about it later.”
The plot of this engrossing mystery follows: ‘A mystery is set in a glamorous town on the shore of Lake Michigan in the summer of ’73. Mike O’Brien, once the crusading editor of the Michigan State News, now the assistant editor of the Gull Haven Observer, becomes obsessed with solving the murder of Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven—and finds love in the process. A body washes ashore late one night during the biggest party night of the year in Gull Haven. Murders are almost unheard of in this rich and trendy town, so the story is really big news—especially when it turns out that it belongs to Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven, a man who most of the locals believe was in the drug dealing business. Mike O’Brien is as fascinated about the murder as anyone and is glad to finally have a story with some meat to it to investigate. His investigation ends up becoming almost an obsession, especially as more and more leads surface about it and it becomes known that Rich Mallon was really Richard Nearing, the prodigal son of Edward Nearing, scion of a wealthy and prominent family from Chicago. As he follows up the leads in the story, he encounters an oddball and unlikely group of suspects that only deepens the mystery rather than leading closer to a solution. Who will the murderer turn out to be? Grant Fields, who rumor has it, was his partner in crime but whom he had a terrible argument with on the night Rich was killed? Could it be Becky Westworth, the beautiful and sexy but notorious woman who was Rich’s girlfriend until they had a bitter breakup just a couple of weeks before the murder? Or could it be Jack Engler, a fairly respectable young business owner in Gull Haven who has never committed a crime in his life but has hated Rich since he stole his girlfriend away from him a few months before the murder and who has been heard to say he’d like to kill Rich. Another suspect is Langdon Smith, owner of the largest fruit operation in the area, whose son died of an overdose of drugs that he always believed he got from Rich. It could even be Virginia Nearing, Rich’s elegant young stepmother whom he hated so much he hadn’t visited his father in many years but who may need to get Rich out of the way if she is going to stand any chance of inheriting her husband’s millions. With the help of the irascible Lt. George Dirkman of the Lake County sheriff’s department, Mike unravels the mystery and even finds love along the way.’
That hints at the fascinating story Steven brings to life. He has a fine sense of place and his pacing in excellent. Refreshingly, there is enough humor to make the story sail along. This is a fine novel for an exciting and entertaining summer read.
June 27, 2021
Book Review
Basic Details:
Book Title: Death on Lake Michigan
Subtitle:
Author: Steven Arnett
Genre: Thriller and Mystery
Part of a series? No
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Overall score:
I scored this book 4/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
This book is a murder mystery. A journalist in a small town becomes obsessed by solving the murder despite his editor being against the idea fearing bad publicity for the town. There are some twists and turns and the book is an interesting read.
What I liked about the book:
The book is easy to read and a page-turner.
What I didn’t like about the book:
The book was nice in its entirety.
My favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was enjoyable in its entirety.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
I understand the author has written several other books.
What books could this be compared to and why?
The book can be compared to other detective stories.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Possibly
Adult Yes
If you like detective stories, this book may be the book for you.
Book Description by Author:
Death on Lake Michigan is a mystery set in a glamorous town on the shore of Lake Michigan in the summer of ’73. Mike O’Brien, once the crusading editor of the Michigan State News, now the assistant editor of the Gull Haven Observer, becomes obsessed with solving the murder of Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven—and finds love in the process.
Here’s the story: A body washes ashore late one night during the biggest party night of the year in Gull Haven, Michigan. Murders are almost unheard of in this rich and trendy town, so the story is really big news—especially when it turns out that it belongs to Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven, a man who most of the locals believe was in the drug dealing business. Mike O’Brien is as fascinated about the murder as anyone and is glad to finally have a story with some meat to it to investigate. His investigation ends up becoming almost an obsession, especially as more and more leads surface about it and it becomes known that Rich Mallon was really Richard Nearing, the prodigal son of Edward Nearing, scion of a wealthy and prominent family from Chicago. As he follows up the leads in the story, he encounters an oddball and unlikely group of suspects that only deepens the mystery rather than leading closer to a solution.
Who will the murderer turn out to be? Grant Fields, who rumor has it was his partner in crime but whom he had a terrible argument with on the night Rich was killed? Could it be Becky Westworth, the beautiful and sexy but notorious woman who was Rich’s girlfriend until they had a bitter breakup just a couple of weeks before the murder? Or could it be Jack Engler, a fairly respectable young business owner in Gull Haven who has never committed a crime in his life but has hated Rich since he stole his girlfriend away from him a few months before the murder and who has been heard to say he’d like to kill Rich. Another suspect is Langdon Smith, owner of the largest fruit operation in the area, whose son died of an overdose of drugs that he always believed he got from Rich. It could even be Virginia Nearing, Rich’s elegant young stepmother whom he hated so much he hadn’t visited his father in many years but who may need to get Rich out of the way if she is going to stand any chance of inheriting her husband’s millions.
With the help of the irascible Lt. George Dirkman of the Lake County sheriff’s department, Mike unravels the mystery and even finds love along the way. Check out Death on Lake Michigan today for one of the most interesting mysteries and one of the most interesting group of characters you will have encountered in a long time!
Also by Steven Arnett: The hilarious dark comedy novel Winners and Losers, which will give you lots of laughs and also has plenty of romance thrown in! Available at www.amazon.com/author/stevenarnett for Amazon Kindle readers.
About the Author:
Steven Arnett was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1951 and enjoys writing fiction and poetry. He attended Michigan State University and the University of Maine. He currently lives in Luxembourg with his wife, Delphine, and daughter, Vivienne.
Basic Details:
Book Title: Death on Lake Michigan
Subtitle:
Author: Steven Arnett
Genre: Thriller and Mystery
Part of a series? No
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Overall score:
I scored this book 4/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
This book is a murder mystery. A journalist in a small town becomes obsessed by solving the murder despite his editor being against the idea fearing bad publicity for the town. There are some twists and turns and the book is an interesting read.
What I liked about the book:
The book is easy to read and a page-turner.
What I didn’t like about the book:
The book was nice in its entirety.
My favourite bits in the book:
I enjoyed the book.
My least favourite bits in the book:
The book was enjoyable in its entirety.
Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?
I understand the author has written several other books.
What books could this be compared to and why?
The book can be compared to other detective stories.
Recommendation:
In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:
Children No
Young Adult Possibly
Adult Yes
If you like detective stories, this book may be the book for you.
Book Description by Author:
Death on Lake Michigan is a mystery set in a glamorous town on the shore of Lake Michigan in the summer of ’73. Mike O’Brien, once the crusading editor of the Michigan State News, now the assistant editor of the Gull Haven Observer, becomes obsessed with solving the murder of Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven—and finds love in the process.
Here’s the story: A body washes ashore late one night during the biggest party night of the year in Gull Haven, Michigan. Murders are almost unheard of in this rich and trendy town, so the story is really big news—especially when it turns out that it belongs to Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven, a man who most of the locals believe was in the drug dealing business. Mike O’Brien is as fascinated about the murder as anyone and is glad to finally have a story with some meat to it to investigate. His investigation ends up becoming almost an obsession, especially as more and more leads surface about it and it becomes known that Rich Mallon was really Richard Nearing, the prodigal son of Edward Nearing, scion of a wealthy and prominent family from Chicago. As he follows up the leads in the story, he encounters an oddball and unlikely group of suspects that only deepens the mystery rather than leading closer to a solution.
Who will the murderer turn out to be? Grant Fields, who rumor has it was his partner in crime but whom he had a terrible argument with on the night Rich was killed? Could it be Becky Westworth, the beautiful and sexy but notorious woman who was Rich’s girlfriend until they had a bitter breakup just a couple of weeks before the murder? Or could it be Jack Engler, a fairly respectable young business owner in Gull Haven who has never committed a crime in his life but has hated Rich since he stole his girlfriend away from him a few months before the murder and who has been heard to say he’d like to kill Rich. Another suspect is Langdon Smith, owner of the largest fruit operation in the area, whose son died of an overdose of drugs that he always believed he got from Rich. It could even be Virginia Nearing, Rich’s elegant young stepmother whom he hated so much he hadn’t visited his father in many years but who may need to get Rich out of the way if she is going to stand any chance of inheriting her husband’s millions.
With the help of the irascible Lt. George Dirkman of the Lake County sheriff’s department, Mike unravels the mystery and even finds love along the way. Check out Death on Lake Michigan today for one of the most interesting mysteries and one of the most interesting group of characters you will have encountered in a long time!
Also by Steven Arnett: The hilarious dark comedy novel Winners and Losers, which will give you lots of laughs and also has plenty of romance thrown in! Available at www.amazon.com/author/stevenarnett for Amazon Kindle readers.
About the Author:
Steven Arnett was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1951 and enjoys writing fiction and poetry. He attended Michigan State University and the University of Maine. He currently lives in Luxembourg with his wife, Delphine, and daughter, Vivienne.
March 25, 2018
NOTE: The author graciously gave me a copy of this book and asked me to write a review.
Gertrude Stein once famously said about the city of Oakland, "there is no there there." I had the same feeling while reading Steven Arnett's period mystery Death on Lake Michigan. Arnett is a skilled writer, certainly better than many of the self-published authors on Amazon, and his novel is a smooth, easy read, but there is nothing about the novel to really grab and hold the reader's attention. The result is similar to a passable but forgettable hour of a network television crime show.
Death on Lake Michigan is set in the small resort town of Gull Haven, MI, a couple of hours drive around the lake from Chicago. The death in question is that of a well-known local playboy, known around town for his charms with the women and his possible involvement in the local drug trade. When he is found floating in the lake with his head bashed in, the case becomes the talk of the town and attracts the attention of the book's narrator, Mike O'Brien. Mike is the assistant editor and, apparently, the only reporter on the weekly town newspaper and he takes it upon itself to investigate when it seems that the police aren't getting anywhere.
The basic set-up of Death on Lake Michigan is decent, but, even though there’s a second murder about halfway into the book, the author doesn’t go much beyond the barebones outline described above. The mystery itself isn’t all that complex, and the case drags on for weeks (it’s hard to get a great sense of time in this book). O’Brien’s detective skills don’t seem to go much farther than just conducting fairly brief interviews with those witnesses who will talk to him, and he eventually solves the case by accepting an invitation to meet the killer in the middle of nowhere late at night.
Of course, a mystery doesn’t need an Agatha Christie plot to be interesting, but there’s nothing much else that stands out. Author Arnett has created some potentially interesting characters here, including his narrator/detective, but he never devotes enough time to them to sustain that interest. Instead, characters show up, talk to O’Brien for a couple of pages and then disappear, never to reappear in the book. O’Brien himself is dealing with a recent relationship that ended poorly and a career that’s been a disappointment since his days as a college student activist journalist. Again, he’s a potentially interesting character who never really becomes a commanding presence in the book. The character who made the greatest impression on me was a garrulous widow who is the landlady of a key witness in the case and winds up telling O’Brien much more than he needs or wants to know. It’s one of the few times in the book that the author lets interviews go on beyond the bare minimum needed to convey information, and, not surprisingly, it’s also one of the more entertaining scenes in the book.
Death on Lake Michigan is a decent read, so I’m recommending it on that basis, but, with a few more pages, it could have been quite a good book. The author has the talent to create a good story but, in many cases, doesn’t follow through enough to make the plot, the characters, or the period setting stand out enough. As it is, it seems like a painting that’s not quite finished, worthwhile enough to look at but not something to put on display.
Gertrude Stein once famously said about the city of Oakland, "there is no there there." I had the same feeling while reading Steven Arnett's period mystery Death on Lake Michigan. Arnett is a skilled writer, certainly better than many of the self-published authors on Amazon, and his novel is a smooth, easy read, but there is nothing about the novel to really grab and hold the reader's attention. The result is similar to a passable but forgettable hour of a network television crime show.
Death on Lake Michigan is set in the small resort town of Gull Haven, MI, a couple of hours drive around the lake from Chicago. The death in question is that of a well-known local playboy, known around town for his charms with the women and his possible involvement in the local drug trade. When he is found floating in the lake with his head bashed in, the case becomes the talk of the town and attracts the attention of the book's narrator, Mike O'Brien. Mike is the assistant editor and, apparently, the only reporter on the weekly town newspaper and he takes it upon itself to investigate when it seems that the police aren't getting anywhere.
The basic set-up of Death on Lake Michigan is decent, but, even though there’s a second murder about halfway into the book, the author doesn’t go much beyond the barebones outline described above. The mystery itself isn’t all that complex, and the case drags on for weeks (it’s hard to get a great sense of time in this book). O’Brien’s detective skills don’t seem to go much farther than just conducting fairly brief interviews with those witnesses who will talk to him, and he eventually solves the case by accepting an invitation to meet the killer in the middle of nowhere late at night.
Of course, a mystery doesn’t need an Agatha Christie plot to be interesting, but there’s nothing much else that stands out. Author Arnett has created some potentially interesting characters here, including his narrator/detective, but he never devotes enough time to them to sustain that interest. Instead, characters show up, talk to O’Brien for a couple of pages and then disappear, never to reappear in the book. O’Brien himself is dealing with a recent relationship that ended poorly and a career that’s been a disappointment since his days as a college student activist journalist. Again, he’s a potentially interesting character who never really becomes a commanding presence in the book. The character who made the greatest impression on me was a garrulous widow who is the landlady of a key witness in the case and winds up telling O’Brien much more than he needs or wants to know. It’s one of the few times in the book that the author lets interviews go on beyond the bare minimum needed to convey information, and, not surprisingly, it’s also one of the more entertaining scenes in the book.
Death on Lake Michigan is a decent read, so I’m recommending it on that basis, but, with a few more pages, it could have been quite a good book. The author has the talent to create a good story but, in many cases, doesn’t follow through enough to make the plot, the characters, or the period setting stand out enough. As it is, it seems like a painting that’s not quite finished, worthwhile enough to look at but not something to put on display.
February 7, 2018
Death on Lake Michigan by Steve Arnett is a 225-page 13-chapter mystery novel published in 2015. On the one hand I found it to be a good example of linear interesting storytelling and on the other hand, I felt uncomfortable with characters popping up just because the story needed a character to supply a small bit of needed information. I felt there were too many unneeded characters in the story.
Mike O’Brien is a small-town newspaper reporter who will become a sort of investigative lead in the murder of a towns’ acknowledged drug runner, Rich Mallon. I was happy to run across O’Brien’s name on page 15 after being introduced to a plethora of other names but never the name of the protagonist. Mike is the teller of this tale. Other characters do not tell the story. When they appear and perform some function, Mike is there to tell what happened and why. This causes a lot of “I writing and while this may come off well in an oral presentation, it is not exciting in a written form.
In the first fifteen pages, before Mike O’Brien is identified, the reader meets Clara Whitman, Heather McGyver, Wilbur Switzler, Dan Dillon, Rick Weldon, Hank Wilkens, Red Garrity, and Buck Matthews. The last one served the function of an old guy that knew everybody and everything along with their histories. Except for Buck, all the other characters were introduced before page fifteen and I didn’t read much of them again. There were further forgettable and non-contributing characters as I learned the names of partygoers who knew nothing of the murdered Rich, who himself had more than one name.
To sum up, I was overwhelmed by inconsequential characters. As I read a novel, I highlight character names to make it easy for me to comment on important characters as I write a review. In this novel, I had a lot of character names highlighted that were worth no comment.
There was a minor surprise at the end. The guilty party was dumb beyond belief. I was just happy to be able to fix a name to a character and arrive at the end of the story. When a mysterious caller supplied yet more clues to the mystery in an anonymous call in chapter 13, I feared yet another character was going to be introduced.
I consider this a “seed” novel. There are enough situations that revolve around characters introduced in the novel to power short stories and possibly even their own novel. The number of characters in this work contributed to unneeded density and led me to give it three Amazon stars.
Mike O’Brien is a small-town newspaper reporter who will become a sort of investigative lead in the murder of a towns’ acknowledged drug runner, Rich Mallon. I was happy to run across O’Brien’s name on page 15 after being introduced to a plethora of other names but never the name of the protagonist. Mike is the teller of this tale. Other characters do not tell the story. When they appear and perform some function, Mike is there to tell what happened and why. This causes a lot of “I writing and while this may come off well in an oral presentation, it is not exciting in a written form.
In the first fifteen pages, before Mike O’Brien is identified, the reader meets Clara Whitman, Heather McGyver, Wilbur Switzler, Dan Dillon, Rick Weldon, Hank Wilkens, Red Garrity, and Buck Matthews. The last one served the function of an old guy that knew everybody and everything along with their histories. Except for Buck, all the other characters were introduced before page fifteen and I didn’t read much of them again. There were further forgettable and non-contributing characters as I learned the names of partygoers who knew nothing of the murdered Rich, who himself had more than one name.
To sum up, I was overwhelmed by inconsequential characters. As I read a novel, I highlight character names to make it easy for me to comment on important characters as I write a review. In this novel, I had a lot of character names highlighted that were worth no comment.
There was a minor surprise at the end. The guilty party was dumb beyond belief. I was just happy to be able to fix a name to a character and arrive at the end of the story. When a mysterious caller supplied yet more clues to the mystery in an anonymous call in chapter 13, I feared yet another character was going to be introduced.
I consider this a “seed” novel. There are enough situations that revolve around characters introduced in the novel to power short stories and possibly even their own novel. The number of characters in this work contributed to unneeded density and led me to give it three Amazon stars.
September 6, 2018
A well-crafted murder mystery...
Author Steven Arnett weaves a well written murder mystery with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a gripping and mesmerizing detective story in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a relatively fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.
Part of the book description gives a sneak preview: ‘A body washes ashore late one night during the biggest party night of the year in Gull Haven, Michigan. Murders are almost unheard of in this rich and trendy town, so the story is really big news—especially when it turns out that it belongs to Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven, a man who most of the locals believe was in the drug dealing business. Mike O’Brien is as fascinated about the murder as anyone and is glad to finally have a story with some meat to it to investigate. His investigation ends up becoming almost an obsession, especially as more and more leads surface about it and it becomes known that Rich Mallon was really Richard Nearing, the prodigal son of Edward Nearing, scion of a wealthy and prominent family from Chicago. As he follows up the leads in the story, he encounters an oddball and unlikely group of suspects that only deepens the mystery rather than leading closer to a solution...’
Now, if that’s not enough to get your curiosity juices flowing, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed with the imagery, language and writing style.
Death on Lake Michigan had every element a good story should have. An intriguing plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.
Very appealing and alluring, this book had me engaged from the very beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. I would highly recommend this book and also add that it has a distinctly cinematic feel to it. Five stars from me and I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Steven Arnett in the future.
Author Steven Arnett weaves a well written murder mystery with intriguing twists and turns that will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a gripping and mesmerizing detective story in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a relatively fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.
Part of the book description gives a sneak preview: ‘A body washes ashore late one night during the biggest party night of the year in Gull Haven, Michigan. Murders are almost unheard of in this rich and trendy town, so the story is really big news—especially when it turns out that it belongs to Rich Mallon, one of the most notorious and well-known summer citizens of Gull Haven, a man who most of the locals believe was in the drug dealing business. Mike O’Brien is as fascinated about the murder as anyone and is glad to finally have a story with some meat to it to investigate. His investigation ends up becoming almost an obsession, especially as more and more leads surface about it and it becomes known that Rich Mallon was really Richard Nearing, the prodigal son of Edward Nearing, scion of a wealthy and prominent family from Chicago. As he follows up the leads in the story, he encounters an oddball and unlikely group of suspects that only deepens the mystery rather than leading closer to a solution...’
Now, if that’s not enough to get your curiosity juices flowing, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed with the imagery, language and writing style.
Death on Lake Michigan had every element a good story should have. An intriguing plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.
Very appealing and alluring, this book had me engaged from the very beginning. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. I would highly recommend this book and also add that it has a distinctly cinematic feel to it. Five stars from me and I’ll be looking forward to reading more from Steven Arnett in the future.
April 5, 2023
If you're looking for a solid, old-fashioned detective mystery with its own unique angles that break away from the usual tired tropes, do I have a book for YOU. Death on Lake Michigan by Steven Arnett has that cool, calculated 70s detective story vibe, but in this beautiful small town Michigan setting, it that contrasts nicely. It has a compelling storyline, full of twists and turns. Plus, it's beautifully written with this intimate yet intense tone that captures the setting and plot perfectly. Oh, and did I mention we aren't following a detective? No, this is a small town journalist working double time, trying to solve a murder without the resources of a detective or the money of a big city paper. Fun, right?
Mike O’Brien, the assistant editor of a small town newspaper, ends up becoming obsessed with solving the murder of one of Gull Haven's most upstanding citizens. NOT. (That was sarcasm.) Rich Mallon's body washed up on the beach, spawning gossip, since he's infamously known as a "drug dealer" in the area. Mike's questioning first starts out as just getting information for a news article for the paper. It eventually becomes a full-blown investigation for him as he goes from lead to lead, sifting through a web of information that unveils throughout the story. There's danger and intrigue and 70s nostalgia, and romance and, and, and...Look what happened. It got me all excited. That's a good book right there.
The book is suspenseful, but doesn't have tons of violence or any gore. There's sex and romance, but we're talking along the lines of a more closed door type. It's not squeaky clean, though, so don't be expecting some kind of Hallmark movie. Instead, we have a classic detective story structure and cool 70 vibe--with the suspense of murder hanging over everything like a cloud of doom and gloom, overshadowing what should be this really pretty little town. And when more things start to pile on, that tone shifts into something more desperate as puzzle pieces shift into place, and then, if you're like me, one gets lost in the carpet until the end of the book, and then you're like, "Oh, well, this is why I'm not a detective." Hahaha.
The writing is solid, and Arnett is gifted at writing both beautiful scenes and witty dialogue, making the entire book just one darned enjoyable experience. I know I had a lot of fun with it, and I highly recommend it for mystery and romance fans.
Mike O’Brien, the assistant editor of a small town newspaper, ends up becoming obsessed with solving the murder of one of Gull Haven's most upstanding citizens. NOT. (That was sarcasm.) Rich Mallon's body washed up on the beach, spawning gossip, since he's infamously known as a "drug dealer" in the area. Mike's questioning first starts out as just getting information for a news article for the paper. It eventually becomes a full-blown investigation for him as he goes from lead to lead, sifting through a web of information that unveils throughout the story. There's danger and intrigue and 70s nostalgia, and romance and, and, and...Look what happened. It got me all excited. That's a good book right there.
The book is suspenseful, but doesn't have tons of violence or any gore. There's sex and romance, but we're talking along the lines of a more closed door type. It's not squeaky clean, though, so don't be expecting some kind of Hallmark movie. Instead, we have a classic detective story structure and cool 70 vibe--with the suspense of murder hanging over everything like a cloud of doom and gloom, overshadowing what should be this really pretty little town. And when more things start to pile on, that tone shifts into something more desperate as puzzle pieces shift into place, and then, if you're like me, one gets lost in the carpet until the end of the book, and then you're like, "Oh, well, this is why I'm not a detective." Hahaha.
The writing is solid, and Arnett is gifted at writing both beautiful scenes and witty dialogue, making the entire book just one darned enjoyable experience. I know I had a lot of fun with it, and I highly recommend it for mystery and romance fans.
September 29, 2022
The Lake Michigan community of Gull Harbor is a town that has known and experienced nothing but peace and harmony. A dark turn of events unfolds, and a grim cloud drapes the locale. Soon, the town is in shock as the dead body of Rich Mallon is found washed up on the shores of the lake. A reporter for Gull Haven observer turned Investigator, Michael O’Brien, takes it upon himself to figure out the new mysteries in Gull Harbor. Along the line, he loses himself and is stuck obsessing over finding the culprits involved. There's a sweet turn of events as Michael also finds love. This death is just the beginning, as another mystery is discovered later in the story. However, this is Michael’s story.
Steven Arnett has composed a thrilling crime fiction, told using the first-person narrative, that arouses the same excitement as shows like Riverdale created because of its plot and genre. I was impressed with the dialogizing conversation style used. The language used to communicate was chatty but sometimes compendious and discursive.
Unfortunately, the sceneries were too complex for a novel and would be better suited for a short crime series set in the 1970s. There was an alarming addition of characters. It was like giving out questionable roles to people that do not matter to the story just because they came for auditions. I lost count of the number of new people I met, and rereading a paragraph to figure out who was speaking was tedious. Initially, the novel was slow-paced, giving so much mention to irreverent characters before getting to the plot. Later into it, the book felt rushed. Similarly, I encountered a few errors by omission.
This book has the potential to be a bestseller, but for now, it needs another round of editing and revising. Crime fiction and thriller enthusiasts would get the hang of this book. Finally, I am rating Death On Lake Michigan a 3 out of 5 stars.
Check out more reviews on my website: https://tutorluchi.blogspot.com/?m=1
Steven Arnett has composed a thrilling crime fiction, told using the first-person narrative, that arouses the same excitement as shows like Riverdale created because of its plot and genre. I was impressed with the dialogizing conversation style used. The language used to communicate was chatty but sometimes compendious and discursive.
Unfortunately, the sceneries were too complex for a novel and would be better suited for a short crime series set in the 1970s. There was an alarming addition of characters. It was like giving out questionable roles to people that do not matter to the story just because they came for auditions. I lost count of the number of new people I met, and rereading a paragraph to figure out who was speaking was tedious. Initially, the novel was slow-paced, giving so much mention to irreverent characters before getting to the plot. Later into it, the book felt rushed. Similarly, I encountered a few errors by omission.
This book has the potential to be a bestseller, but for now, it needs another round of editing and revising. Crime fiction and thriller enthusiasts would get the hang of this book. Finally, I am rating Death On Lake Michigan a 3 out of 5 stars.
Check out more reviews on my website: https://tutorluchi.blogspot.com/?m=1
February 21, 2021
Film noir. That's what I kept thinking as I read Death on Lake Michigan. The story is a little cynical (it has a reasonably good cop and a not-so-good cop, an editor who doesn't wish to publish a story but who gets news tips from semi-interested widows in town, enough aliases that you aren't certain if anybody's name is genuine, etc., etc.) The novel is somewhat sexual (two chance explicit encounters by the main character). As a mystery, it's like an onion that gets unpeeled, a little bit at a time. It's a hard boiled crime fiction. I half anticipated the involvement of Humphrey Bogart and Sam Spade. I kept envisioning Stacy Keach as Mike Hammer in a Mickey Spillane novel transmitted over Blackstone audio, complete with the narrator's fondness for Stroh's beer, a variety of musical groups over the radio that never go unidentified, and not only a mention of exactly what was ordered off the menu at a plethora of restaurants, but an evaluation of how good the lobster, pasta, sandwich, et al, was. The first person narrator of this fine murder mystery is a writer at a small town newspaper, the Gull Haven Observer, and his investigation and methodology are so thorough that I was forced to assume that the novel's author, Steven Arnett, has similar experience. The story is replete with quotable quotes, such as one about the difficulty with small towns being that it's virtually impossible to avoid running into people you don't want to see, and another about how the readers of small town newspapers don't really wish to know the truth. This is a thoroughly engrossing murder mystery and even with 10 pages remaining out of 220 or so you still don't know who did it. Try it; you'll have an entertaining afternoon.
November 26, 2023
What a remarkable read! As a native Michigander, I knew I’d like the setting, but it was the first person narration of Mike, a newspaper writer/detective, that really pulled me into this mystery novel.
I especially enjoyed how down-to-earth and likeable Mike was as he follows the trail of clues. He may not be as slick as a big city investigator, but he’s logical and leaves no stone unturned. His attraction toward women is natural and his occasional bumbling—without being clownish—makes him all the more endearing. Women can’t help but be drawn toward him. He’s also logical and leaves no stone unturned, plus he knows how to ask the right questions.
Another delightful surprise is that the story takes place in the early 1970s. This pre-Internet world, despite the murder, felt like a softer, kinder one. It’s highly unusual that a murder has occurred in the small vacation town of Gull Haven. Arnett’s references to music and books, and many other visuals from the time period are well-described. His ability to render the way people talked (at least in Michigan) during that era was perfect. It’s easy to slip back to that time when a murder was a big deal—and not just another daily statistic.
Fairly early on, we discover the murder victim was going by an alias. After a few false leads, the reader is alongside Mike as he slowly solves the case. The plot thickens and is deftly handled by the skilled Arnett. I couldn’t help but wonder if Mike was getting in a little too deep—and this, of course, make the book even more compelling. What a page turner! I truly look forward to reading more of Steven Arnett’s writing.
I especially enjoyed how down-to-earth and likeable Mike was as he follows the trail of clues. He may not be as slick as a big city investigator, but he’s logical and leaves no stone unturned. His attraction toward women is natural and his occasional bumbling—without being clownish—makes him all the more endearing. Women can’t help but be drawn toward him. He’s also logical and leaves no stone unturned, plus he knows how to ask the right questions.
Another delightful surprise is that the story takes place in the early 1970s. This pre-Internet world, despite the murder, felt like a softer, kinder one. It’s highly unusual that a murder has occurred in the small vacation town of Gull Haven. Arnett’s references to music and books, and many other visuals from the time period are well-described. His ability to render the way people talked (at least in Michigan) during that era was perfect. It’s easy to slip back to that time when a murder was a big deal—and not just another daily statistic.
Fairly early on, we discover the murder victim was going by an alias. After a few false leads, the reader is alongside Mike as he slowly solves the case. The plot thickens and is deftly handled by the skilled Arnett. I couldn’t help but wonder if Mike was getting in a little too deep—and this, of course, make the book even more compelling. What a page turner! I truly look forward to reading more of Steven Arnett’s writing.
January 23, 2018
Simply Splendid. This really was a great story from start to finish. I quite enjoy a Thriller that can keep me guessing, and Steven Arnett has certainly achieved that me for me with this wonderful book. It’s full of great characters that are quite diverse, and it has an Interesting and entertaining plot. Probably the stand out for me is the Author’s writing style, and his ability to pull me into the story.
Gull Haven certainly wasn’t the biggest town going around, especially since it only had a population of 2022. So, it’s quite a surprise when a body is found floating in the water down at the beach. Mike Obrien, a reporter for the towns newspaper certainly isn’t going to find it easy looking into what happened to Rich Mallon, and how he came to a tragic end. Especially since Rich was pretty secretive about his past. There are those that think Mike would be best off leaving the story alone, and not digging too deep. Even suggesting that something unfortunate might happen to him if he didn’t back off. It also doesn’t help that Rich had a knack of rubbing people the wrong way, and there seems to be a few people that wanted him dead. Mike isn’t prepared to let this go, and he will do just about anything to find out who’s responsible. This story is full of suspense and intrigue, and is definitely worth adding to your reading list.
Verified Purchase - Amazon Australia
Gull Haven certainly wasn’t the biggest town going around, especially since it only had a population of 2022. So, it’s quite a surprise when a body is found floating in the water down at the beach. Mike Obrien, a reporter for the towns newspaper certainly isn’t going to find it easy looking into what happened to Rich Mallon, and how he came to a tragic end. Especially since Rich was pretty secretive about his past. There are those that think Mike would be best off leaving the story alone, and not digging too deep. Even suggesting that something unfortunate might happen to him if he didn’t back off. It also doesn’t help that Rich had a knack of rubbing people the wrong way, and there seems to be a few people that wanted him dead. Mike isn’t prepared to let this go, and he will do just about anything to find out who’s responsible. This story is full of suspense and intrigue, and is definitely worth adding to your reading list.
Verified Purchase - Amazon Australia
April 4, 2021
Interesting. I always avoided reading mystery novel with journalist as the main character. This novel open up my eyes and heart from the "phobia". Thanks.
Mike is just a journalist, not a police officer nor a detective, so I didn't expect anything flashy from his investigation. I never thought the story would be interesting — honestly, I didn't realize that the main character is a journalist when I read the synopsis. It goes way past my expectations.
I like the way Mike gathered the information. No personal opinion, no personal judgement — just him collecting the data. Sure, he adds some opinions, but he always make sure it doesn't get to the way of investigation. Somehow, I thought he'll get himself in trouble with all those ... spicy acts, but no, it really never interfere with his investigation. Good job, man.
Well, I like some of the comedy, but I can't understand most of it, to be honest. Maybe it's because I'm not ... even reaching the age of the adults in this novel? I don't know. Didn't really bothers me, anyway. I just still trying to open up to this kind of mystery story.
The choice of words are also interesting. The writing are neat — I like it. One more thing. It bothered me, just a little bit. There's no page numbers at all. Sometimes I let it slide, but sometimes it became a bother, that I almost can't make sure where I am (what page I was).
Mike is just a journalist, not a police officer nor a detective, so I didn't expect anything flashy from his investigation. I never thought the story would be interesting — honestly, I didn't realize that the main character is a journalist when I read the synopsis. It goes way past my expectations.
I like the way Mike gathered the information. No personal opinion, no personal judgement — just him collecting the data. Sure, he adds some opinions, but he always make sure it doesn't get to the way of investigation. Somehow, I thought he'll get himself in trouble with all those ... spicy acts, but no, it really never interfere with his investigation. Good job, man.
Well, I like some of the comedy, but I can't understand most of it, to be honest. Maybe it's because I'm not ... even reaching the age of the adults in this novel? I don't know. Didn't really bothers me, anyway. I just still trying to open up to this kind of mystery story.
The choice of words are also interesting. The writing are neat — I like it. One more thing. It bothered me, just a little bit. There's no page numbers at all. Sometimes I let it slide, but sometimes it became a bother, that I almost can't make sure where I am (what page I was).
November 22, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
My first time read of author, Steven Arnett, and not my last! I got this book for a long-awaited holiday only to start reading it a few days before I flew out. By the time the plane landed I was finished. I could not put it down. The main character, Mike O’Brien, is the sleuth. He’s a reporter (typical pushy nosey one) who just wouldn’t give up solving an unsolved murder. He’s brazen, obsessed with finding the murderer and plus quite charming to the ladies. Expect a bit of romancing. O'Brien is also rather bored with small town news so when a murder takes place he's all over.
The story is easy to follow (not so many characters I had to make a reference list) with believable characters and dialogue that is a good murder mystery. The crime takes place in a small town in Gull Harbor on Lake Michigan. Like small towns are everybody knows everybody. Most of the town would agree that the murdered victim did not have a good reputation. After his death, more about who he really is part of the discovery made by O’Brien.
For those who like a good murder mystery with a sleuth you can easily image with real dialogue between characters, I recommend, “Murder on Lake Michigan.”
My first time read of author, Steven Arnett, and not my last! I got this book for a long-awaited holiday only to start reading it a few days before I flew out. By the time the plane landed I was finished. I could not put it down. The main character, Mike O’Brien, is the sleuth. He’s a reporter (typical pushy nosey one) who just wouldn’t give up solving an unsolved murder. He’s brazen, obsessed with finding the murderer and plus quite charming to the ladies. Expect a bit of romancing. O'Brien is also rather bored with small town news so when a murder takes place he's all over.
The story is easy to follow (not so many characters I had to make a reference list) with believable characters and dialogue that is a good murder mystery. The crime takes place in a small town in Gull Harbor on Lake Michigan. Like small towns are everybody knows everybody. Most of the town would agree that the murdered victim did not have a good reputation. After his death, more about who he really is part of the discovery made by O’Brien.
For those who like a good murder mystery with a sleuth you can easily image with real dialogue between characters, I recommend, “Murder on Lake Michigan.”
October 29, 2017
In the hundreds of reviews I have done I have always had the attitude the book being reviewed started with five stars. If there were too many errors, creating a diversion, or if the story line or the characters were weak and undeveloped I might take off a star or at least two. As I have said many times this book did not merit my reducing the five star award. I thought it a little slow to start but the momentum picked up as the book moved along through the story. It is set in the small Lake Michigan community of Gull Harbor. A murder occurs, leaving a mystery as to who did the deed, but also as to who the victim had been. Twists in the plot followed turns, one suspect was discarded, then another, a plodding (typical really) investigation revealed clue after clue, leading to no one. The story line was good. The setting and characters were good. There were very few errors in the book which I saw. The author did a good job of fleshing out the main character and the secondary characters were believable. As with all murder mysteries there was enough gratuitous sex to take the book out of the realm or tweens. A good fast read, very enjoyable. .
April 20, 2018
I must admit, that when I agreed to read this book, I didn’t realize that it was the same author who penned “The Summer of Robert Byron.” That book was in desperate need of an editor.
I am happy to report that this mystery novel is much, much, much better, although the title could use some creativity.
It’s the summer of 1973. Reporter Mike O’Brien is sent to cover the story of a body washed ashore on the shore of Lake Michigan, a resort town. The body is easily identified as that of a local drug dealer named Rich Mallon. And while the identification is easy, the cause of death also easy, the motive fairly obvious, but who did it is quite the mystery.
Mike becomes obsessed with finding Rich’s killer, although it seems that he didn’t think much of Rich while he as life. The murder gets Mike’s blood roiling, much like it did when he as a star reporter and crusader for the Michigan State News when he as in college.
The writing is much, much better the “The Summer of Robert Bryon.” There isn’t as much poor grammar and syntax, although it does creep up from time to time. It was an easy read and quite satisfactory as a murder mystery. The back over claims it’s a bit of a romance too, but I had to look hard for that. Therefore, Death on Lake Michigan receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
I am happy to report that this mystery novel is much, much, much better, although the title could use some creativity.
It’s the summer of 1973. Reporter Mike O’Brien is sent to cover the story of a body washed ashore on the shore of Lake Michigan, a resort town. The body is easily identified as that of a local drug dealer named Rich Mallon. And while the identification is easy, the cause of death also easy, the motive fairly obvious, but who did it is quite the mystery.
Mike becomes obsessed with finding Rich’s killer, although it seems that he didn’t think much of Rich while he as life. The murder gets Mike’s blood roiling, much like it did when he as a star reporter and crusader for the Michigan State News when he as in college.
The writing is much, much better the “The Summer of Robert Bryon.” There isn’t as much poor grammar and syntax, although it does creep up from time to time. It was an easy read and quite satisfactory as a murder mystery. The back over claims it’s a bit of a romance too, but I had to look hard for that. Therefore, Death on Lake Michigan receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
May 17, 2018
Mike O’Brian is a small-town America newspaper reporter, waiting his call for the bigtime from the New Yorker or the Washington Post. A call that will never come because Mike is too comfortably embedded in the Gull Haven community. A seaside resort that has tens of thousands of visitors during the summer yet can barely struggle into the low thousands off-season.
That doesn’t stop Mike from dreaming of fame when the body of Rich Mallon, a notorious and alleged drug-dealing resident, is washed ashore. Mike’s investigation leads him to interview and hanker after, if not actually bed, a number of local beauties. Somehow, Mike finally stumbles on the killer who has every intention of adding him to their growing list of victims.
This is a well written book where the reader is kept informed as to what is going on and why. The plot kept me guessing until the last pages. Mike will never make the bigtime newspapers but with an engaging character and the intriguing setting of Gull Haven, I urge readers of light-hearted whodunits to seek them out.
That doesn’t stop Mike from dreaming of fame when the body of Rich Mallon, a notorious and alleged drug-dealing resident, is washed ashore. Mike’s investigation leads him to interview and hanker after, if not actually bed, a number of local beauties. Somehow, Mike finally stumbles on the killer who has every intention of adding him to their growing list of victims.
This is a well written book where the reader is kept informed as to what is going on and why. The plot kept me guessing until the last pages. Mike will never make the bigtime newspapers but with an engaging character and the intriguing setting of Gull Haven, I urge readers of light-hearted whodunits to seek them out.
August 10, 2018
While set in 1973, this mystery has the feel of bygone days populated by characters like Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe. Though the sleuth is in actuality a journalist, I could almost envision Bogie puffing on a cigarette as he hunts the elusive suspect in this baffling mystery. The mystery surrounds the discovery of the body of Rich Mallon, which has washed up on the shores of Lake Michigan, in the idyllic town of Gull Haven. A young journalist named Mike O’Brien becomes obsessed with the case, and with the help of Lt. George Dirkman, he slowly puzzles through the mystery where the motive and suspects are not what they seem. I enjoyed the 1st person narrative, where the reader only discovers and mulls over the evidence and clues right alongside Mike. I was particularly impressed by the snappy dialogue and enjoyed the sometimes amusing and often perplexing exchanges between the characters. Hopefully this will turn into a series as I believe that Mike O’Brien would make one heck of a P.I. Enjoyable!
April 3, 2021
I love a good, old fashioned murder mystery; and I do mean old. Nixon and his legal troubles form a backdrop to this story of a small town newspaper with a larger than life reporter. Mike O'Brien witnesses a body wash up on the beach while covering the Harbor Festival in Gull Haven. Our intrepid journalist takes it upon himself to investigate while fending off reluctant editors, indifferent police and powerful but barely civilised thugs. The lack of modern technology is refreshing in how seamlessly the narrative flows without mobiles or someone Googling someone else for clues. It made me nostalgic for the days of tough little newspapers when all of print media seems to be teetering on the brink now.
The characters are all likable, even the shady ones. The victims are ordinary people who make some questionable decisions and one really feels the tragedy of their fate. Our hero newsman is not a very deep character but has a heart and guts and wraps up the mystery on a thrilling note. I honestly did not see that ending coming.
The characters are all likable, even the shady ones. The victims are ordinary people who make some questionable decisions and one really feels the tragedy of their fate. Our hero newsman is not a very deep character but has a heart and guts and wraps up the mystery on a thrilling note. I honestly did not see that ending coming.
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