Black Otter Bay

by Vincent Wyckoff

A character driven narrative suffused with the stark beauty of Minnesota's Northshore. Rich in story-telling and steeped in the legends and grandeur of Lake Superior, Black Otter Bay is a subtly suspenseful cabin (or anywhere) must-read.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

310 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2016

Reviews

[Paul E · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really turned out to be pretty good. It was easy and light and well descriptive to the North Shore (I grew up on lake Superior). And the author hit a lot of the descriptive subtleties to the north shore I just have one question. What happened to the mother, Jackie?

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect little mystery to read, while on vacation at a resort on Lake Superior. A native Minnesotan who has spent a LOT of time at points Duluth and beyond, I enjoyed matching the details of the fictional locations with factual ones familiar to me. Black Otter Bay seems to be an aggregate of locations from Castle Danger to Beaver Bay and Silver Bay. This was a good read, with mild suspense that won't make you wonder why you read it alone, at night. I found myself, as I often do, casting the parts in my head, as if for a movie. The point of view wasn't what I expected, but suited the story perfectly. If you love a little mystery and the North Coast (as we like to call it) you'll enjoy this tale by our own local guy, Vincent, who lives in a South Minneapolis neighborhood that boasts two lakes of our own. You might even find him at the local (non-chain) coffee shop.

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Abby Simon wanted to do was try out her new fishing rod. Little did she know that she was about to witness a body being dumped into the lake. Soon Abby's brother is kidnapped and Abby is told if she tells anyone what she saw, he will be killed. Alongside a compelling mystery Wyckoff paints a beautiful portrait of the north shore and all the people that live there. Anyone looking to escape to their cabin without leaving their home should pick up this fantastic book and then eagerly await the second in the series.

[Mark Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black Otter Bay, by Vincent Wyckoff, 2016. I picked this book up at Back Forty Books in Two Harbors, Minnesota, on our way to a week on the North Shore of Lake Superior near Tofte. Wyckoff is a native Minnesotan living in Minneapolis, and the book is set in a small town on the North Shore (modeled after Beaver Bay, I think). I enjoyed the plot and Wyckoff does a good job with the dialogue. A fun, interesting book to read on vacation.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Takes place in Beaver Bay (renamed Black Otter Bay in the book) and Duluth. This is the author's first book and I can see Chief Fastwater in future sequels, solving crimes in and around the North Shore. The pace of this book was thrilling and fun because the "bad guys" took them on chases throughout Duluth, eventually ending in Black Otter Bay (no spoiler here!)

[Dan Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was in a local store on the North Shore of Lake Superior that I picked up because of the regional interest and it had a Midwest Book Award. I did not expect much but I was pleasantly surprised how well it was plotted and written. Bottom line is that it was a great book even without my regional interest. I would have liked it wherever it was set. Recommended.

[Trudy Ackerblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Otter Bay is written by Vincent Wyckoff, who lives in Minneapolis. He writes about The Lake Superior area. This was a fun read. I loved the characters, especially Marlon Fastwater, the sheriff of Black Otter Bay. I will definitely read the next book in the series because I care about the characters.

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book set in Northern Minnesota. The mystery is interesting, the setting beautifully described and the characters likable and believable. I like mysteries that don’t get gruesome and this fits the bill. Apparently the author is a Nieghbor of mine, maybe I’ll meet him somewhere!

[Becky Leier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this mystery. Suspenseful and nice description of the north shore environment. Hope there are future sequels to this book. Chief Fastwater, Abby, Ben and Matthew were likable characters. Would love to learn more about them and see there characters develop.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this while on a boat in Silver Bay MN. I hiked Beaver Bay River last week and after reading about Rosie’s bait shop I feel like I know the exact spot it would have been locate in Beaver Bay. Great writing and a page turning story. I loved the strong young girl, Abby.

[Robyn Swenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the descriptions and details of the North Shore of Lake Superior and Duluth. I thought the characters were interesting and the dynamics between them were engaging.Some of the dialog was stilted, however, and the under-reaction to the kidnapping was unrealistic.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Descriptive writing about the people and crimes of a small town on the Minnesota North Shore of Lake Superior. Fun to finish the book during a snowstorm in Duluth, which also appears. The author lives in my area of South Minneapolis, too.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had all of my favorite things- a connection to Duluth and the North Shore, page-turning suspense, and loveable characters. Add great storytelling and it can’t get any better.

[Betharie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summer read mystery. Suspenseful And nice description of north shore environment—parts not really credible.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great up north, Lake Superior cabin read!
Thanks, Vince!

[Shirley Erstad · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.33

[Jeff L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the read but it really came across as a take off on the William Kent Krueger Cork O'Conner series...

[Arizonagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one while vacationing at Beacon Pointe on Lake Superior. What a fun read! The one about the kids who witness a man dumping a body in the water and have to go on the run.

[M W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book sitting by a North Shore river and loved it! The strong, young female character, plot twists and references to familiar landmarks were really fun. A fast, engaging read and perfect for anyone who loves the North Shore.

[Justin Florey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A readable and entertaining account of small-town life on Minnesota's North Shore. Full of quirky characters supporting each other in a place of beauty and isolation. I was rooting for the book's young, female protagonist all the way. The book really shows the resiliency of children in the face of evil.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book in a day and a half, it was so compelling. I loved the setting in northern MN, development of the character of the place, involvement of people from different backgrounds and the story line.

[C. Woolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling murder mystery set up on the North Shore. The language describing the landscape and weather was stunningly rendered, and captivated the essence of the MN Northwoods.

[Carol Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Black Otter Bay. The North Shore of Lake Superior was a marvelous setting and Abby was an engaging young protagonist. I look forward to more books about the Lake and Abby from Wyckoff!

[M.E. Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent writing. Good story. Superb descriptions of the Lake Superior shoreline and climate.