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Greg Salem #2
Grizzly Season
The highly anticipated follow-up to SW Lauden's Bad Citizen Corporation , former Los Angeles police officer Greg Salem and his sidekick Marco escape to a remote cabin in the backend of the Angeles National Forest, only to have their peaceful retreat upturned after stumbling across the marijuana farm operation called Grizzly Flats. When the drug lord Magnus Ursus' latest marijuana crop leaves Greg's hometown and closest friends in disarray—setting off a series of explosive scenes including high-speed motorcycle chases, violent porn shoots, high-altitude gun fights, Mexican drug smuggling and murder—Greg is forced out of retirement to avenge his home and save the lives of those closest him.
- GenresMystery
352 pages, Paperback
Published October 11, 2016
3 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
S.W. Lauden
24 books47 followersS.W. Lauden’s debut novel, BAD CITIZEN CORPORATION, is available from Rare Bird Books. The second Greg Salem novel, GRIZZLY SEASON, was published on October 11, 2016. His standalone novella, CROSSWISE, is available from Down & Out Books.
His short story, “Itchy Feet,” was recently published in UNLOADED: CRIME WRITERS WRITING WITHOUT GUNS (Down & Out Books). His short story, “Big Shots,” is included in the anthology FAST WOMEN AND NEON LIGHTS: EIGHTIES-INSPIRED NEON NOIR (Short Stack Books). His short story, “Customer,” is featured in the upcoming anthology, WAITING TO BE FORGOTTEN: STORIES OF CRIME AND HEARTBREAK INSPIRED BY THE REPLACEMENTS (Gutter Books).
His short fiction has been accepted for publication by Out of the Gutter, Criminal Element, Dark Corners, Dead Guns Magazine, Akashic Books, WeirdBook, Spelk Fiction, Shotgun Honey and Crimespree Magazine.
His short story, “Itchy Feet,” was recently published in UNLOADED: CRIME WRITERS WRITING WITHOUT GUNS (Down & Out Books). His short story, “Big Shots,” is included in the anthology FAST WOMEN AND NEON LIGHTS: EIGHTIES-INSPIRED NEON NOIR (Short Stack Books). His short story, “Customer,” is featured in the upcoming anthology, WAITING TO BE FORGOTTEN: STORIES OF CRIME AND HEARTBREAK INSPIRED BY THE REPLACEMENTS (Gutter Books).
His short fiction has been accepted for publication by Out of the Gutter, Criminal Element, Dark Corners, Dead Guns Magazine, Akashic Books, WeirdBook, Spelk Fiction, Shotgun Honey and Crimespree Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 31, 2016
So, I'm trying this new thing to hopefully quantify better my appreciation of a book. Tell me if you like it in the comments. Overall, I liked GRIZZLY SEASON enough but here's a breakdown of what went right and what went wrong.
Things I liked:
- The sprawling sense of scope that both affects the mystery and the setting. Lauden is very good at this. In GRIZZLY SEASON he goes from the mountains to the beach.
- Lauden's unadorned prose that just glides off the page. The man definitely isn't a stylist, but he works his strengths. You'll have read 100 pages before you know it.
- The suspended reality of Grizzly Flats and the whole bear cult storyline.
- Mark Lathrop.
- How different it was from BCC. It's not trying to be BCC 2.
- The book is very subplot busy, which is a thing I dig.
Things I didn't like
- Magnus Ursus' inexplicable obsession with Greg.
- Kristen inexplicable obsession with Greg.
- There is a character I really liked from BCC who meet its doom here and I was pretty pissed about that.
That's it. I thought GRIZZLY SEASON was a worthy successor to BAD CITIZENS CORPORATION. Sure, it feels a little formatted since it's a mystery series, but S.W Lauden went out of his way to change the setting and renew the experience. If you liked the first, definitely carve time for the sequel.
Things I liked:
- The sprawling sense of scope that both affects the mystery and the setting. Lauden is very good at this. In GRIZZLY SEASON he goes from the mountains to the beach.
- Lauden's unadorned prose that just glides off the page. The man definitely isn't a stylist, but he works his strengths. You'll have read 100 pages before you know it.
- The suspended reality of Grizzly Flats and the whole bear cult storyline.
- Mark Lathrop.
- How different it was from BCC. It's not trying to be BCC 2.
- The book is very subplot busy, which is a thing I dig.
Things I didn't like
- Magnus Ursus' inexplicable obsession with Greg.
- Kristen inexplicable obsession with Greg.
- There is a character I really liked from BCC who meet its doom here and I was pretty pissed about that.
That's it. I thought GRIZZLY SEASON was a worthy successor to BAD CITIZENS CORPORATION. Sure, it feels a little formatted since it's a mystery series, but S.W Lauden went out of his way to change the setting and renew the experience. If you liked the first, definitely carve time for the sequel.
April 6, 2018
SW Lauden offers readers a lot of unique elements in his Greg Salem mystery series. This is the first I've read, but it won't be the last (in fact I've already started HANG TIME, book three).
GRIZZLY SEASON is the second of Lauden's tales starring Greg Salem, a So-Cal surfer and private eye who's past resume includes Los Angeles cop and punk rock frontman. The follow-up to BAD CITIZEN CORPORATION (the first in the series as well as the name of Salem's punk band), GRIZZLY SEASON begins with Salem and his friend and former BCC drummer Marco hanging out at a cabin in Angeles National Forest backcountry, decompressing after some high-intensity scrapes.
The pair can't stay out of trouble, however, and step right in the bear-shit when they're out hiking and stumble into a marijuana crop run in a cult-like manner by a man who calls himself Magnus Ursus. That's just the beginning of the nightmare, as Salem tries to extricate them from Magnus - a very dangerous proposition - as well as trying to help with the son of an old friend heading off the rails, manage a private eye case digging dirt for another friend, and deal with a new relationship.
Lauden packs a lot into what is a quick, fun read. GRIZZLY SEASON is full of action and excitement. Told in straightforward fashion - Lauden's talent is for the interesting characters and situations he crafts rather than being a prose stylist - the book fair tears along with barely a pause. Readers are dipped into several different subcultures, as Salem's worlds interconnect and collide.
We hurtle around southern California, from forested mountain trails to the lapping waters of the Pacific, from dingy biker bars to high-end mansions. Salem's notoriety and fists-first attitude opens doors (or breaks them down, where necessary) all over the place, even as he tries to hold off the machinations of his former police bosses and gossipy journalists, as well as plenty of bad guys who have him in their sights. Can Salem save Marco, among many others, and himself?
An exciting read that offers something a little different.
GRIZZLY SEASON is the second of Lauden's tales starring Greg Salem, a So-Cal surfer and private eye who's past resume includes Los Angeles cop and punk rock frontman. The follow-up to BAD CITIZEN CORPORATION (the first in the series as well as the name of Salem's punk band), GRIZZLY SEASON begins with Salem and his friend and former BCC drummer Marco hanging out at a cabin in Angeles National Forest backcountry, decompressing after some high-intensity scrapes.
The pair can't stay out of trouble, however, and step right in the bear-shit when they're out hiking and stumble into a marijuana crop run in a cult-like manner by a man who calls himself Magnus Ursus. That's just the beginning of the nightmare, as Salem tries to extricate them from Magnus - a very dangerous proposition - as well as trying to help with the son of an old friend heading off the rails, manage a private eye case digging dirt for another friend, and deal with a new relationship.
Lauden packs a lot into what is a quick, fun read. GRIZZLY SEASON is full of action and excitement. Told in straightforward fashion - Lauden's talent is for the interesting characters and situations he crafts rather than being a prose stylist - the book fair tears along with barely a pause. Readers are dipped into several different subcultures, as Salem's worlds interconnect and collide.
We hurtle around southern California, from forested mountain trails to the lapping waters of the Pacific, from dingy biker bars to high-end mansions. Salem's notoriety and fists-first attitude opens doors (or breaks them down, where necessary) all over the place, even as he tries to hold off the machinations of his former police bosses and gossipy journalists, as well as plenty of bad guys who have him in their sights. Can Salem save Marco, among many others, and himself?
An exciting read that offers something a little different.
September 26, 2016
Yes! I was thrilled to have Greg Salem back in my life. There is never a dull moment in a S. W. Lauden book. Never. You just have to put your boots on and grab hold of this book and run. I am not kidding.
Greg and Marco are living off the grid in Angeles National Forest while Greg is trying to erase the memories of the last case. A normal day of hiking soon turns into a nightmare. Marco is sure he has faced his biggest fear when a family of Grizzly bears start to chase him. But, the nightmare is only beginning.
Greg and Marco are captured and held captive with a crazy cult that uses the bears to scare any new members that try to escape. I know you are thinking...What in the world is this crazy cult and what is going to happen to Greg and Marco? We are barely into the book. This crazy, bear cult is growing a very dangerous species of marijuana and selling it to the kids. Well, Junior's son gets hold of the weed and Greg has to get back to the civilized world and help his friends.
Everywhere you turn something new is popping up and you find yourself in porn studios, crazy cults, murderers, and situations that have you biting your nails while you wait for Greg to come and save the day.
I said it before and I will say it again.....Lauden writes smart, exciting, books that cover territories that have not been tackled in other books. There is always something new and fresh with this writer. I am so happy to have Greg Salem back and pulling me into his dark and twisted world. Plus it is always refreshing to have a crime novel set to the beat of punk rock. S.W.Lauden never disappoints!
Greg and Marco are living off the grid in Angeles National Forest while Greg is trying to erase the memories of the last case. A normal day of hiking soon turns into a nightmare. Marco is sure he has faced his biggest fear when a family of Grizzly bears start to chase him. But, the nightmare is only beginning.
Greg and Marco are captured and held captive with a crazy cult that uses the bears to scare any new members that try to escape. I know you are thinking...What in the world is this crazy cult and what is going to happen to Greg and Marco? We are barely into the book. This crazy, bear cult is growing a very dangerous species of marijuana and selling it to the kids. Well, Junior's son gets hold of the weed and Greg has to get back to the civilized world and help his friends.
Everywhere you turn something new is popping up and you find yourself in porn studios, crazy cults, murderers, and situations that have you biting your nails while you wait for Greg to come and save the day.
I said it before and I will say it again.....Lauden writes smart, exciting, books that cover territories that have not been tackled in other books. There is always something new and fresh with this writer. I am so happy to have Greg Salem back and pulling me into his dark and twisted world. Plus it is always refreshing to have a crime novel set to the beat of punk rock. S.W.Lauden never disappoints!
October 12, 2016
S W Lauden has taken the potential that he displayed in his debut novel, Bad Citizen Corporation (BCC) and turned himself into the newest must-read author in the PI genre. Grizzly Season, the follow up to the kick-ass Bad Citizen Corporation follows the exploits of Greg Salem as he deals with the aftermath of his heroics in BCC.
While Salem is looking to clear his head by taking a mountain bike ride with his best friend and former bandmate, Marco, he stumbles into the clutches of Magnus,a drug dealer who has a plan to hit the big time with one massive drug deal which will allow him to retire. Magnus has been developing a high-grade strain of marijuana that's mixed with some higher potency drugs that delivers a Grizzly Bear high. He tries to strong-arm Salem to join the operation, but Salem manages to escape, and while he manages to rescue Kristen, a young drifter caught up in Magnus’ scheme, he is forced to leave Marco in the clutches of the dealer.
While Salem may not have been able to get Marco out of Magnus’ camp, he refuses to give up and spends his time teaching the mountains and woods for signs of his friend and Magnus and he is prepared to do anything necessary to rescue his buddy. Mix in a new love interest for Salem, an impending family life, a desire to be a role model for his friend’s fatherless son, and the baggage from the shooting of the boy with the blue hat (detailed in BCC) and you have a book that is on a slow simmer just waiting to boil over.
In Grizzly Season, Lauden offers readers the perfect mix of sex, drugs, and (punk)rock-n-roll, but also infuses it with heart, heart-break, and most importantly, a poet’s touch. Lauden offers so much more than a standard PI read, he offers up a raw, gritty picture of the life of the PI, warts and all. Salem is no saint, but he is a man who has heart, seeks to do the right thing, and is looking to make the world a better place for those he loves. The fact that Lauden strips Salem down to the core and shows the reader his struggles to be a good friend, a good father, and most importantly a good father, while also allowing his insecurities and vulnerabilities to shine through is a huge strength to this book. Salem is a character worthy of a series and the ending to this great read will have you salivating for the next book in this series.
While Salem is looking to clear his head by taking a mountain bike ride with his best friend and former bandmate, Marco, he stumbles into the clutches of Magnus,a drug dealer who has a plan to hit the big time with one massive drug deal which will allow him to retire. Magnus has been developing a high-grade strain of marijuana that's mixed with some higher potency drugs that delivers a Grizzly Bear high. He tries to strong-arm Salem to join the operation, but Salem manages to escape, and while he manages to rescue Kristen, a young drifter caught up in Magnus’ scheme, he is forced to leave Marco in the clutches of the dealer.
While Salem may not have been able to get Marco out of Magnus’ camp, he refuses to give up and spends his time teaching the mountains and woods for signs of his friend and Magnus and he is prepared to do anything necessary to rescue his buddy. Mix in a new love interest for Salem, an impending family life, a desire to be a role model for his friend’s fatherless son, and the baggage from the shooting of the boy with the blue hat (detailed in BCC) and you have a book that is on a slow simmer just waiting to boil over.
In Grizzly Season, Lauden offers readers the perfect mix of sex, drugs, and (punk)rock-n-roll, but also infuses it with heart, heart-break, and most importantly, a poet’s touch. Lauden offers so much more than a standard PI read, he offers up a raw, gritty picture of the life of the PI, warts and all. Salem is no saint, but he is a man who has heart, seeks to do the right thing, and is looking to make the world a better place for those he loves. The fact that Lauden strips Salem down to the core and shows the reader his struggles to be a good friend, a good father, and most importantly a good father, while also allowing his insecurities and vulnerabilities to shine through is a huge strength to this book. Salem is a character worthy of a series and the ending to this great read will have you salivating for the next book in this series.
November 20, 2017
** ARC provided by the author for an honest review **
Grizzly Season is book two in the Greg Salem Mystery series by S.W. Lauden.
Grizzly Season, picks up where book one leaves off. We have our main character Greg along with his sidekick Marco, in need of a getaway, so they escape to a cabin in the Angeles National Forest. However, it’s not long before they stumble upon a marijuana growing operation. This operation is run by a deadly man named Magnus Ursus. Magnus is in the process of growing a special blend of marijuana that he thinks that will help him retire. When he tries to talk Greg and Marco into joining the operation, he is in for a rude awakening. Greg manages to escape but must leave Marco behind. Now the rush begins to save his friend, take down the bad guy, deal with family issues and save the day.
“ I need you to run a test on that”
“ I know you might be a little rusty since leaving the force, but this looks like weed.”
“ Test it for me, please. I think it might be some kind of hybrid strain.”
S. W. Lauden created an intense story that tells the gritty life of PI Greg Salem. Greg is not your typical PI, he is raw and real. He struggles with being a good friend, father and role model. However, his struggles are what make him so real for he struggles with insecurity and doubts like everyone else. But what I really enjoyed with this character was his loyalty to his friends and family. There’s nothing that he wouldn’t do for them and it shows. He will literally go to the ends of the earth and back for them. Fans of PI mysteries will latch onto this engaging, gritty series and be craving more. Five stars.
“ You saved our lives today. I owe you for that-we all do.”
“ I am no Hero”
Grizzly Season is book two in the Greg Salem Mystery series by S.W. Lauden.
Grizzly Season, picks up where book one leaves off. We have our main character Greg along with his sidekick Marco, in need of a getaway, so they escape to a cabin in the Angeles National Forest. However, it’s not long before they stumble upon a marijuana growing operation. This operation is run by a deadly man named Magnus Ursus. Magnus is in the process of growing a special blend of marijuana that he thinks that will help him retire. When he tries to talk Greg and Marco into joining the operation, he is in for a rude awakening. Greg manages to escape but must leave Marco behind. Now the rush begins to save his friend, take down the bad guy, deal with family issues and save the day.
“ I need you to run a test on that”
“ I know you might be a little rusty since leaving the force, but this looks like weed.”
“ Test it for me, please. I think it might be some kind of hybrid strain.”
S. W. Lauden created an intense story that tells the gritty life of PI Greg Salem. Greg is not your typical PI, he is raw and real. He struggles with being a good friend, father and role model. However, his struggles are what make him so real for he struggles with insecurity and doubts like everyone else. But what I really enjoyed with this character was his loyalty to his friends and family. There’s nothing that he wouldn’t do for them and it shows. He will literally go to the ends of the earth and back for them. Fans of PI mysteries will latch onto this engaging, gritty series and be craving more. Five stars.
“ You saved our lives today. I owe you for that-we all do.”
“ I am no Hero”
August 30, 2017
This is technically a 4.5 out of 5. Whereas the first one was a crime drama, this one is more of a crime thriller. The first book felt like a good start to a great tv show. This one feels like a great second season where the author is more confident in its characters and world. You really need to read the first one to truly appreciate all of the pay-offs and character growth this time around. What I immediately liked about this one was the atmosphere. Moving from the beaches to the mountains and forest certainly helps but the introduction of a cult really helps you feel like something is always watching Greg. Magnus is a great antagonist/villain and he feels like a true match for Greg. No one feels safe with Magnus so you turn every page fearing for everyone's life. Marco helps lighten the mood always but this time around Lauden gives you more of an emotional connection to him and you love when the story is centered around him as much as when it is on Greg. This novel also went to places I didn't expect. I wasn't too crazy about how the mystery ended in the first one. But this one wraps up nicely for all the characters and I was much more emotionally satisfied with how it all ended. My only complaint is that it ends on a cliffhanger. I do not like it when that happens as unless it is a tv show and you are guaranteed to have another season, don't do it. Doing it in a novel just feels....................a little off. But it isn't enough to take my enjoyment out of it and it is clear that Lauden enjoys these characters and is headed towards a great end (to what I assume is a trilogy).
May 18, 2017
Grizzly Season by S W Lauden is an exciting adventure. This book has trouble all over it. Inside, I found a retired police officer forced out of retirement because of a lot of mayhem happening within his hometown. A drug lord operating a marijuana farm leaves around a lot of violence. From shootings to car chases, the main charcater, Greg Salem, will have his hands full. Murder investigation and criminal activity makes this a heart racing read. Panic, fear, and deadly situations on every page. I've found Grizzly Season to entertaining. Suspenseful and well-developed. Overall, I recommend this hard-billed thriller by S W Lauden to all. 4.5-stars
May 20, 2017
Book two of the Greg Salem trilogy is outstanding! A great follow-up to Bad Citizen Corporation, Grizzly Season is well written and adds even more dimension to great characters. Can't wait for book 3.
February 6, 2018
This book is a great mix of action, mystery, and character development set in a fully realized and unique subculture - the southern California beach communities culture.
It's a page turner with lots of action that's never predictable and enough insight into human behavior to make you think a bit.
It's a page turner with lots of action that's never predictable and enough insight into human behavior to make you think a bit.
January 25, 2017
I liked this book. Not what I expected.
March 21, 2017
It was a bit different from what I was expecting, but that is part of what made it interesting. Cool characters, plot, locations, etc. My copy was obtained from Goodreads.
August 11, 2017
another super fun Greg Salem adventure. some of the plot and widespread conspiracy stuff was a bit much, but this was a blast to read. the end sets up a third story, which I am looking forward to
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December 1, 2017Former cop dealing with his feelings over shooting someone; alcohol and drugs ever present. Just trying to do the right thing, save his friend, keep everyone safe. It takes a special person to be a police officer, and it takes a toll. The book was a nice mix of out of this world drama, and real life issues.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews